Arab Couple Charged
In Death Of One Year Old

January 7, 2009
Arab police investigators have charged a Lowery Road man and woman in the death of one year old Uriel Hernandez Garcia according to Lt. Butch Higgins of the APD.  The two were arrested at their residence at 1229 Lowery Road NE Tuesday night around 9:45pm.  The mother of the child, Perla Edith Hernandez, age 25, and Ambrocia Ramirez-Vite, age 26, have been charged with one count each of aggravated child abuse.  Ramirez-Vite is reportedly the boy friend of Hernandez and was living in the home.  Both are currently being held in the Marshall County Jail with bond set at $500,000 each.  Additional felony charges are being considered and may be made later according to Higgins.

According to police, the child was carried to the  Marshall Medical Center North emergency department Thursday night, January 1 by Hernandez and Ramirez-Vite but was dead upon arrival.  Arab Police were notified of the suspicious death by emergency department personnel and an investigation was launched to determine the cause of death.  Results of an autopsy performed on the child have not been released.

The investigation is being led by Arab investigator Dan Henry.  The Marshall County District Attorney's office and a team of forensic investigators from Huntsville were in Arab on Wednesday as part of the ongoing investigation.  Marshall County Sheriff's Department investigator Mike Acquaviva and Boaz Police Department investigator Isaac Cruz have been assisting in the investigation by serving as translators.

A graveside service for Uriel Hernandez Garcia was held Friday, January 9, 2009