A 19-year-old Garner man is facing a murder charge after his 14-month-old stepchild died in a bathtub while, police say, the child was in his sole care. Angel Deras-Rivas was arrested Sunday, and the toddler suffered serious injuries before dying in the incident. He is being held without bond as the case moves toward court.
In its initial report, WRAL said Garner police allege Deras-Rivas left the child unattended in a bathtub full of water. Authorities identified him as the child’s stepfather and the husband of the child’s mother.
North Carolina law divides murder into first- and second-degree categories. The North Carolina statute describes first-degree murder as including willful, deliberate and premeditated killings, along with certain felony murders; other murders fall under second degree. The initial report did not identify a specific degree for the charge against Deras-Rivas.
Bathtub Drowning Risks Can Escalate Quickly
The case arrives alongside a stark public-health warning: The CDC says drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 and can happen quickly and quietly in bathtubs, pools and other water. The North Carolina health department advises assigning a responsible adult to watch young children while they are in the bath.
Deras-Rivas was scheduled to appear in court Monday at 1:30 p.m., according to WRAL’s report. As of that initial coverage, he remained in the Wake County Detention Center without bond.
What Happens Next In The Case
The upcoming court proceedings are expected to establish the next steps, including whether prosecutors pursue additional charges or provide more detail about the allegations. A murder charge is an accusation, not a conviction, and Deras-Rivas is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
