MILLCREEK, Utah — An 18-month-old boy is dead after police say his stepfather drowned him in a bath tub Friday night in their Millcreek home.
Codey Jolley, 28, was arrested Saturday on attempted child abuse homicide. On Sunday, police amended the charge to child abuse homicide.
According to a statement of probable cause, police responded to the Millcreek home in the area of 300 East and 4100 South Friday.
Officers found the toddler, who had suffered trauma to his upper body, was unconscious and not breathing. The boy had been floating face down in a bath tub, and while the man caring for the boy said it was an accident, police say it may have been an intentional act of abuse.
“It’s early in the investigation, but after a closer look it appears that this is not an accident, so today we booked the live-in boyfriend for attempted child abuse homicide and child abuse,” Det. Ken Hansen of the Unified Police Department said Saturday.
The PC statement indicated the child had also suffered injuries in other incidents in recent weeks while home alone with Jolley, including serious burns from hot coffee and a bruise from an alleged fall from a high chair.
A Go Fund Me account was set up for Ethan before he passed away. The money raised will go toward funeral expenses.
