Death certificate states baby is victim of homicide

An infant found dead with a skull fracture April 19 was the victim of homicide, according to an autopsy report released Tuesday.

"The cause of death in this 7-month-old is due to severe blunt force injury of the head and a large skull fracture and epidural brain hemorrhage," wrote Katherine Raven, pathologist with the Washoe County Medical Examiner's Office, in the report.

An epidural hemorrhage is the accumulation of blood between the skull and the tough, fibrous membrane covering the brain and lining the inner surface of the skull.

The death certificate lists "struck/beaten by unknown assailant(s)," in response to the question of "How Injury Occurred."

Tyrone Anderson was found dead in his crib by his father, Paul Anderson, at the family's apartment in South Carson City on the morning of April 19.

According to court documents, the parents told police the boy fell 2 feet from their bed the previous evening. Paul Anderson stated the only people in the home besides Tyrone were himself, his wife, Aurora, and their 2-year-old son.

The autopsy revealed the baby suffered a "4-inch depressed fracture on the left side of the head."

Pathologist Katherine Raven said a "simple fall" from a bed would not have caused the fracture. The report states Tyrone did not have any bruising on the scalp near the injury.

"This report just confirms our suspicions that this baby suffered at the hands of someone. The parents are still our primary persons of interest. Through our investigation we have not uncovered any other responsible adults who were in that house besides the parents," said Carson City Sheriff's Detective Dena Lacy. "At this point, we are still putting together a case for the district attorney to prosecute."

The Andersons have denied any wrongdoing. Paul Anderson was not available for comment. A woman who answered the phone at the family home Tuesday said she was unable to understand English.

• Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.