TIGARD, OR (KPTV) -
A Tigard man is accused of murdering a 4-year-old boy by kicking him and then lying to investigators and doctors about what happened.
Probable cause arrest documents show Brian Canady eventually admitted to investigators he kicked Zachary Dutro-Boggess in the abdomen on Aug. 12.
The boy wasn't taken to the hospital until two days later. He died on Aug. 16.
The child is the son of Canady's girlfriend, Jessica Dutro-Boggess.
Police said the family of six was homeless and taking temporary refuge at the Good Neighbor Center in Tigard when employees there noticed the boy's injuries and called for help.
Doctors said the type of injuries the boy suffered could be caused by a car crash or a severe bicycle accident, according to court documents.
However, the doctor added that boys of the victim's age generally don't ride a bike fast enough to generate that kind of force.
The doctor told investigators the injuries could have also been caused by focused blows, such as kicks to the abdomen.
The doctor said if the boy had gotten treatment right after the injuries occurred there would have been a very high likelihood he would have survived.
The parents originally told doctors they didn't know what caused the medical emergency, according to the affidavit.
The suspect also repeatedly told officers he had no idea how the boy would have received such abdominal trauma, before finally admitting that he did it.
Canady said he got into an argument with someone at the Good Neighbor Center on Aug. 12. He returned to his room angry and told the boy to go sit in front of the TV, according to court documents.
The boy didn't listen and said he wanted to take his shoes off first. That's when the man told investigators he kicked the boy, who fell down and began crying.
Canady admitted he did not seek medical attention out of fear the abuse would be discovered.
Investigators said he told his girlfriend and the boy's mother the following morning.
She also eventually admitted to authorities that she kept the abuse secret so they wouldn't get in trouble.
The man admitted he had beaten the boy with a belt on multiple occasions and kicked him in the legs in the past, according to investigators.
The woman has two other children, ages 3 and 7, from a previous relationship. The suspects have a 10-month-old baby together.
The kids were taken under the care of the Oregon Department of Human Services.
Canady is facing charges of murder, assault and criminal mistreatment.
Dutro-Boggess is charged with manslaughter and criminal mistreatment.
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