Police said the 8-month-old was hospitalized after becoming unresponsive and died three days later.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte father has been charged with murder and felony child abuse after police said his 8-month-old son died from nonaccidental trauma following a May 3 emergency call.
Nieves Alexander Acosta-Maldonado, 27, was arrested May 13 after detectives interviewed him at the Law Enforcement Center, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said. The child, Ethan Mato Acosta-Palos, was first found unresponsive at a home on Kirt Court and later died at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital.
Officers were called around 11:20 a.m. May 3 to the 1000 block of Kirt Court for an assist medic call. Police said the infant was taken to a hospital, where doctors found injuries that investigators described as nonaccidental trauma. Crime Against Children detectives began the case before homicide detectives joined after Ethan died May 6.
Detectives later determined the incident began in the 3000 block of North Sharon Amity Road in the Hickory Grove Division. Court records described by local reports said doctors found subdural hematomas and retinal hemorrhages. Investigators said the injuries were consistent with abusive head trauma. The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide, and police said Ethan’s next of kin was notified after the arrest.
According to court documents, Acosta-Maldonado told detectives he was caring for Ethan while the child’s mother was at work. Investigators said he told them Ethan was fussy and got sick. The documents said he admitted picking the baby up from a crib several times, forcefully putting him back once leading with the head, dropping him another time and shaking him for 10 to 15 seconds until he stopped crying.
Police have not released all evidence in the case, and the investigation remains active. Acosta-Maldonado was transferred to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office after the interview. Detective McCall is listed as the lead detective. Police said more information will be released by the department’s public affairs division as the case develops.
The case now moves through Mecklenburg County court while investigators continue reviewing medical findings, witness statements and the timeline of the child’s injuries. Acosta-Maldonado faces murder and felony child abuse charges. No additional suspects had been announced as of Friday.
Author note: Last updated May 15, 2026.