Fresno PD awaiting more detailed reports before filing charges after death of 6-month-old

Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Fresno PD awaiting more detailed reports before filing homicide charges after death of 6-month-old
Friends said Jazzalynn Dixon was a healthy baby girl who was adored by families in the apartment complex where she lived with her mother.

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Friends said Jazzalynn Dixon was a healthy baby girl who was adored by families in the apartment complex where she lived with her mother. Many neighbors had never seen the man police said is the prime suspect in the infant's death, until he frantically knocked on their door last week.

One witness who wished to stay anonymous said, "I went upstairs, the baby was laying on the sofa. She was unresponsive. We tried massaging her legs, massaging her arms, rubbing her head, asking her, baby, please wake up, and she didn't wake up."

Dixon never recovered-- she died two days later. Investigators aren't getting specific about her cause of death-- only that the baby had endured serious trauma during her short life.

An autopsy was completed Monday, the same day charges were not filed against Osvaldo Tejada and he was released. Detectives believe Dixon was in his care at the time she was fatally injured.

Since the case began as a child abuse investigation but turned into a homicide, investigators now police need more time to review evidence, including medical reports and toxicology tests.

"The time frame and the process is not so simple. It's very detailed, it's very extensive. The process is lengthy-- it's not an overnight process," said Lt. Dave Madrigal, Fresno Police Department.

No one was home Tuesday at the apartment where police believe the crime happened. One witness was so busy trying to revive the baby that she wasn't looking for any injuries. But she does remember Tejada's demeanor as he asked her if she knew CPR.

"Scared, nervous. To me he looked like he was all drenched sweating. But he just kept saying the baby's not breathing, we need help."

Neighbors said the complex has been devastated by Dixon's death. It's still hard to talk about because it was so sudden and senseless.

"She is a little 6-month-old girl who doesn't deserve this. I have a granddaughter that's that age and I look at her every day and wonder how could anybody do this to a baby that hasn't done nothing to you."

Police said Tejada is the boyfriend of Dixon's mother-- at this point- detectives said she is cooperating.

Neighbors said the evidence taken from the home included the baby's bassinet, crib, and a bed mattress.