Peoria man faces murder charge after death of 2-year-old stepson

PEORIA, Arizona (AZAfamily) — A man faces multiple charges, including murder, for alleged abuse that led to the death of his teenage stepson in Peoria last month.

Peoria Police arrested 26-year-old Hein Lwin in connection with the 2-year-old’s death.

On Oct. 24, Peoria Police were called to a welfare check near 108th Street and Olive Boulevard after Lwin reported the little boy had been strangled by a diaper. Officers and Peoria Fire-Medical attempted life-saving measures before taking the child to Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Officers saw visible ligature marks around the child’s neck, according to court documents.

Lwin reportedly told police she put her stepson down for a nap at 3:30 p.m., then went to the gym at the apartment complex for 30 to 40 minutes. He said when he returned, he found the boy lying on the ground next to the arch.

He was then taken into custody and taken to the Peoria Police Station to interview detectives.

WARNING: Graphic details ahead; Discretion is advised.

Lwin reportedly told detectives he was angry about the last counseling session and took out his anger and frustration on the boy because it was “too much,” according to documents. Lynn reportedly admitted to hitting the boy on the back and side of the head 10 to 15 times with his open hand throughout the day.

The man also admitted to hitting the child during the car ride, and the child repeatedly fell into splash water, causing a visible head injury, documents said.

When he returned to the flat, Lwin said he was “rude” to the boy by grabbing him by the back of his shirt, shaking him in circles and throwing him on the bed. He reportedly said he did this about five times until the shirt covering his neck ripped, and on three occasions he hit the child’s head against the headboard.

Lwin said he then wiped the blood from the child’s split lip and left the room for 30 to 40 minutes, according to the documents. When he returned, he called his wife and then 911, saying the child was having difficulty breathing.

When told the child might not survive, Lwin reportedly told investigators, “I deserve everything that happens to me.” Lwin was arrested that day on multiple charges, including attempted murder, aggravated assault and child abuse charges.

The child was treated for severe head trauma and died three days later, on October 27. Peoria police said Lwin now faces a first-degree murder charge.

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