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Mesa Man Charged With First‑Degree Murder After Toddler's Death

An autopsy finding of severe internal injuries explains why prosecutors upgraded charges to first‑degree murder.

Overview

  • Mesa Fire crews responded to a report of a child in distress around 4 a.m. on Tuesday and the two‑year‑old was taken to a hospital where he later died.
  • Detectives developed evidence identifying 23‑year‑old Kishawn Porter and arrested him at his home on Tuesday on an initial felony child abuse charge.
  • The Maricopa County medical examiner's autopsy completed on Wednesday documented healing and acute rib fractures, lacerated liver and stomach, torn intestinal blood vessels, and a transected pancreas.
  • After the autopsy prosecutors upgraded charges to first‑degree murder and felony child abuse ending in death, and a judge set Porter’s bond at $1.5 million.
  • Prosecutors also allege Porter abused a separate one‑year‑old and cited an extensive violent juvenile record, the investigation is ongoing, and court proceedings will determine next steps.