Police are investigating a 22-year-old man for the alleged murder of his 2-month-old.

Mayalen Rios was pronounced dead Wednesday, two days after she was admitted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite. Officers had responded to a call that the baby was not breathing, Gwinnett County police spokesman Jake Smith said in a statement.

According to medical personnel, the baby’s injuries did not appear accidental and were consistent with shaken baby syndrome, Smith said.

A day after the child was admitted to the hospital, police arrested her father, Hiker Rios, on the charge of first-degree cruelty to children, according to the statement.

Following an autopsy Friday, Mayalen Rios’ death is now being investigated as a homicide, Smith said. Hiker Rios is being held without bail at the Gwinnett County Detention Center facing a charge of felony murder.

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Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com