Michael Anthony Ibarra

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On August 3, 2010, paramedics received a call about an unconscious child and found Michael Ibarra suffering from a head injury. Tests showed that he suffered epidural and subdural hematomas because of a skull fracture that extended from the back of his head to the right side. Michael told paramedics he fell down the stairs while being spanked by his stepfather. Michael underwent two emergency surgeries and was on life support for eight days before it was removed and he died. At the time of his death, Michael was covered in bruises in various stages of healing, and an autopsy revealed he had two spinal fractures that occurred at different times. He also had a healed hand fracture.

 

Koffi Dogbevi admitted he was spanking Michael for not cleaning his room when the boy fell down some stairs, suffering a massive head injury that proved fatal. Dogbevi was indicted on first degree murder and child abuse charges. Michael’s mother, Monica Ibarra, was also indicted on child abuse charges. She admitted she didn’t protect her son or seek medical attention for him. Ibarra, who has since divorced Dogbevi, pleaded guilty to two counts of child abuse and agreed to testify against him.

In January 2010, Michael told CPS caseworkers he had been staying home from school and in his room, so no one could see the “bump” on his head. CPS and Tucson police investigated Dogbevi, but he was never charged until Michael died. Ibarra was sentenced to two years in prison and 15 years’ probation. Dogbevi pleaded guilty to second degree murder in a plea agreement that set the sentencing range at 16 to 22 years in prison instead of the normal 10 to 22-year range.