The Wichita Police Department has identified the victim from a child abuse investigation late last week, as 9-month-old Maela Flores of Wichita.
Officers previously arrested Brietan Rader, 25, regarding this case for child abuse, child endangerment, possession of marijuana with intent, cultivation of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Rader is now also charged with 1st- degree murder. At approximately 11:20 p.m., last Friday, officers responded to an assist the fire department call at a home in the 3600 block of West 13th street North, regarding a child not breathing.
The officers located Flores with critical injuries. She was taken to an area hospital for medical treatment, and she succumbed to her injuries on Wednesday.
The investigation revealed Flores received the critical injures while in the care of Rader, which led to his arrest. Additionally two boys, 6, and 2, were also at the home. They were uninjured, and placed into police protective custody.
During the investigation, officers discovered a marijuana grow operation inside the apartment.
The investigation is ongoing, and the case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office.
