A Garner man charged with murder after his 14-month-old stepchild drowned in a bathtub appeared before a Wake County judge Monday, where he was ordered to be held without bond.
Angel Deras-Rivas, 19, appeared in person for his first court appearance. During the hearing, prosecutors asked the court to deny bond based on the facts of the case and a federal immigration detainer. The judge granted the request. Court officials also appointed the Capital Defender’s Office to represent Deras-Rivas.
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Deras-Rivas is charged with first-degree murder and felony negligent child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury in connection with the death of his 14-month-old stepchild.
According to arrest warrants, Deras-Rivas willingly left the toddler unattended in a bathtub filled with water while the child was under his sole supervision. The child later died from drowning.
Investigators identified Deras-Rivas as the child’s stepfather and the husband of the child’s mother.
The negligent child abuse charge carries a maximum sentence of 88 months in prison if convicted. The murder charge carries a potential sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.
Deras-Rivas is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 24.