West Valley man arrested in child abuse investigation

WEST VALLEY CITY — A man was arrested for investigation of child abuse Wednesday after a 4-year-old boy was found was extensive facial injuries.

Police were called about 7:30 a.m. to an apartment near 3400 South and 2500 West on a report of a person needing medical assistance. When officers arrived, they found a young boy with "fairly serious" facial injuries, said West Valley Police Capt. Tom McLachlan.

The boy's mother was allegedly asleep at the time of the incident. The mother's live-in boyfriend told police the boy fell, McLachlan said.

But after the boy was taken to Pioneer Valley Hospital and was alone with detectives, he made other statements about how the wounds were caused. The boyfriend, at that point, declined to talk to police, McLachlan said.

Jamey Tovar, 29, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of child abuse as well as several small outstanding warrants.

The investigation into what caused the boy's injuries was ongoing Wednesday.

— Pat Reavy