A man is facing charges in connection to the death of a 2-year-old boy.

Rickey Renee Lockwood, 36, faces one count of child abuse and first degree murder.

Around 11:45 a.m. Monday, Dec. 23, Phoenix police were responding to a home for a child not breathing when they learned Mr. Lockwood was driving the boy to a hospital. Police said Mr. Lockwood is the boyfriend of the boy’s mother.

The Phoenix Fire Department got ahold of Mr. Lockwood and told him to stop the vehicle so they could check on the boy, identified as Eli Steele.

Fire personnel transported Steele to John C. Lincoln Deer Valley Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Medical staff reported signs of injury, to include facial bruising, chin abrasions, severe brain and spinal injuries, and rib fractures.

Detectives learned Mr. Lockwood was acting as a caretaker for Steele on Monday. At one point, Mr. Lockwood was reportedly bathing the 2-year-old when he ran into his friend’s room and said Steele wasn’t breathing.

Mr. Lockwood denied injuring Steele and said he doesn't use corporal punishment. He denied bathing Steele, saying the last time he did was one month ago. However, Steele's mother said it was a few days ago.

Police said two of Mr. Lockwood’s children were also at the home. An 8-year-old told police she had seen Mr. Lockwood spanking Steele multiple times in the past.

Police searched the residence and found feces-soiled children’s clothes along with a shirt that possibly had blood on it, records state. Other soiled pants were in the outside garbage can.

Mr. Lockwood was arrested on one count of child abuse and was booked into jail in lieu of a $75,000 bond. However, an autopsy for the boy was scheduled Tuesday, Dec. 24, to determine if the manner of death was homicide. Phoenix police stated in a release that Mr. Lockwood is going to be charged with first-degree murder.