Mother, Boyfriend Bound Over for Trial in 3-Year-Old's Death

By Dave Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY – An Oklahoma County judge has ruled that a mother and her boyfriend will stand trial in the death of the woman's 3-year-old son.

Judge Fred Doak denied bail for Tye Shafer, 24, and Eddie Valdez, 24. Both have been charged with first-degree murder and child abuse in the September 2009 death of Shafer's son, Eli Johnson.

During a preliminary hearing this morning, a detective testified today that Valdez had beaten the child on previous occasions.

The detective investigating the death said Eddie Valdez confessed to severely beating Eli in October 2008.
Tye Shafer initially said she was the one that caused the injuries. Valdez admitted Tye covered for him, the detective said.

The detective testified that Valdez confessed to slamming Eli's head repeatedly into a toilet as punishment for urinating on himself.

Valdez and Shafer brought Eli to a hospital in September where Eli died from his injuries. The State Medical Examiner's office ruled that head and abdominal blunt force killed Eli.

Valdez pled not guilty in court this morning and after the hearing said he had confessed to police because he was "sorry."