Parents arrested for toddler’s death

SACRAMENTO — A father and mother face murder charges in connection to the death last week of their 22-month-old son.
Sacramento police believe Paul Harper, 28, caused the fatal head injuries that took son Paul G. Harper Jr.’s life, and that mother Theresa Harper did nothing to prevent or report the abuse.
Theresa Harper did contact the Sacramento Fire Department Thursday evening and request medical aid for her son. Fire department personnel transported the boy to the University of California, Davis Medical Center, but his injuries proved too severe and he died at the hospital.
Medical staff notified Sacramento police of injuries they felt were suspicious, said Sgt. Norm Leong, public information officer for the Sacramento Police Department. He added that the couple had no history of abuse in Sacramento County, but couldn’t speak to the Harpers’ history in other jurisdictions.
Hours before she was arrested, Theresa Harper told FOX40 News that her boyfriend had a history of abusing their child, and would punch Paul G. Harper Jr. in the ribs and choked him the day he died. “I don’t regret my son being born,” the crying mother told a television reporter. “I regret the father he had.”
In November 2005, Paul Harper was sentenced to three years probation on misdemeanor charges that he inflicted injury on a spouse or cohabitant and made criminal threats.
The autopsy performed on the child confirmed that he died of blunt force trauma to the head. Paul Harper was arrested Friday morning during questioning at police headquarters, KCRA reported. He is expected to appear in court on Tuesday. Another child who lived in the home is now in protective custody.