Mesa couple charged with murder in death of toddler who suffered untreated burns

Two people are facing first-degree murder charges after a 22-month-old toddler in their care died from severe burns that police say went untreated for about 10 days.

Alexander Byrne, 21, and 24-year-old Artnesia Baptist, the child’s mother, were arrested on charges of first-degree murder and child abuse likely to cause death, according to the Mesa Police Department.

On April 12, officers were dispatched just after 9 a.m. to a home in the area of Brown Road and Mesa Drive for a report of a child who was not breathing…

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