Man arrested in connection with toddler’s death

This is an updated version of a story posted earlier on Tuesday.

BARSTOW — Police arrested a Barstow man Monday in connection with the death of a 1-year-old girl.

Arthur Wilbon, 27, was arrested and booked in the Barstow jail on suspicion of child abuse causing death. Police believe that 1-year-old Arsyn Bean, the daughter of Wilbon’s live-in girlfriend, died as a result of injuries caused by abuse. An autopsy determined that the child died due to head injuries, according to a Barstow Police Department report.

Bean died at Loma Linda Hospital after Barstow emergency personnel responded to a report of a child not breathing and unresponsive on the 700 block of East Virginia Way at about 9 a.m. on June 30. Paramedics treated Bean at the scene and transported her to Barstow Community Hospital. From there, she was taken to Loma Linda Medical Center, where she died.

The autopsy was performed on July 2 and police conducted a follow-up interview with Wilbon on Monday, after which he was arrested, according to the police report. He is being held on $500,000 bail.

There were no other children in the household, city spokesman John Rader said.

The case is still under investigation. To report information, call Sgt. Andy Espinoza Sr. at 760-255-5135. To remain anonymous, call WE-TIP at 1-800-78-CRIME or leave  information on the WeTip Web site at www.wetip.com.

Contact the writer:
(760) 256-4123 or abby_sewell@link.freedom.com