Mesa father indicted in death of 6-week-old boy

Arnold Barney, 19, of Mesa has been indicted in connection with the death of his 6-week-old son, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced today.

On July 28, the baby’s mother left her Mesa apartment to go to the grocery store with her family, leaving the child home alone with the defendant. When they returned home, the baby was not breathing and was taken to the hospital. Doctors discovered the baby’s face was bruised and swollen, and there was bleeding in the brain, according to a release.

Barney told detectives multiple stories before admitting to striking the baby several times because he would not stop crying. He said he then wrapped the baby in a blanket on the bed, propped up a bottle for him, and resumed watching TV in the next room as the child continued to cry, it states.

Barney is charged with one count of first-degree murder, a class one felony; and one count of child abuse, a class two felony.

He is being held on a $1 million secured bond. To be released, the defendant typically must pay an amount equal to 10% of the full bond. Trial is set for April 2026.

A criminal charge is an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.