A 26-year-old man in Arizona has been taken into custody for the suspected murder of his 2-year-old stepchild, reportedly beating the child to death and telling officials that the toddler was “a lot.”
In October, Hein Lwin was apprehended and is now confronting accusations of premeditated first-degree murder in connection with the child’s death, as reported by officials.
On Thursday, Oct. 24, at approximately 6:15 p.m., officers from the Peoria Police Department arrived at an apartment complex following a call in the vicinity of 108th Avenue and Olive Avenue. A caller named Lwin informed the emergency dispatcher that his stepchild was experiencing a choking incident involving a cloth.
A recent affidavit acquired by a local CBS station sheds light on the details surrounding the tragic death of the child.
Upon arrival at Lwin’s residence, authorities and medical personnel observed clear ligature marks on the victim’s neck.
During a later conversation with investigators, Lwin allegedly stated that he laid the boy down for a nap around 3:30 p.m. before heading to the gym in his apartment complex. Upon returning home approximately 30 to 40 minutes later, he reported finding the child lying on the floor near a belt.
As the interrogation progressed, Lwin allegedly confessed to having recently participated in a counseling session and expressed his frustration. He subsequently directed his frustration towards his stepson, remarking that the child was “a lot.” Lwin admitted to investigators that he hit the boy in the head with an open hand approximately 15 times during the day.
Lwin allegedly mentioned that he had engaged in playful roughhousing with the child, which involved tossing him onto the bed by the back of his shirt and swinging him around in circles. Lwin stated that when he lifted the child by the shirt, the collar tightened around the boy’s neck. He also mentioned that during play, the child hit his head on the bed’s headboard approximately three times and split his lip, according to KTVK.
According to the report, Lwin assisted in cleaning the boy’s lip, but noticed the child struggling to breathe about 40 minutes later. He then chose to call his wife before dialing 911.
During the ongoing interview, authorities conveyed to Lwin that his stepson’s chances of survival were slim due to his injuries.
Lwin remains in custody at the Maricopa County Jail with no option for bond. His upcoming court appearance for an arraignment is set for Friday.