SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities have identified the victim from a child abuse investigation on January 10, as 9-month-old Maela Flores of Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson. She died Wednesday.
Police arrested 25-year-old Brietan Rader of Wichita in connection with the case. He was formally charged Tuesday for child abuse, child endangerment, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, cultivation of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the district attorney's office. Rader is now facing a requested charge of 1st- degree murder.
At approximately 11:20 p.m. January 10, police responded to an assist the fire department call at a home in the 3600 block of West 13th street North in Wichita, regarding a child not breathing, according to Captain Brent Allred. Upon arrival, officers located Flores with critical injuries. She was taken to an area hospital for medical treatment and died Wednesday.
The investigation revealed Flores received the critical injures while in the care of Rader, which led to his arrest. An additional 6-year-old boy and a 2-year-old boy were also at the home, were uninjured, and taken into police protective custody.
Additionally, during the investigation, officers discovered a marijuana grow operation inside the apartment.
He is currently jailed on a $250,000 bond.