Shawn Malik Johnson, age 23, was jailed Friday after West Valley City Police say he gave his son a beating that resulted in his death.
Police say Deyvion Johnson, who was just shy of six months old, suffered massive head trauma.
He was rushed to Primary Children's hospital Friday morning, but died Saturday after being taken off life support, police said.
Shawn Johnson was initially booked on charges of child abuse, but police have since asked for a murder charge.
Police arrived at Johnson's home after Johnson called 911 to report his son was unresponsive.
Doctors at the hospital told investigators the child was the victim of a beating.
Police say Johnson was caught in a lie at first that included blaming another family member for his son's injuries.
They say he later admitted it to the violence.
In addition to the child abuse murder accusation, Johnson may also face an obstruction charge tied to his initial statements about what happened.
Police are investigating whether there were any warning signs.
"That's all pieces of the puzzle," said Lieutenant Justin Wyckoff. "The family history, his history, but ultimately at the end of the day there is a dead child and he's the suspect and that's what it is."
Police say the suspect lived in the apartment on Boulder Pine with his wife, mother and three brothers.
kjzz.com
