Man Who Police Say Punched, Killed Fresno Baby Not Charged

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) -- Authorities say a Central California man who confessed to punching and killing a 14-month-old boy will not face criminal charges right now.

The Fresno Bee reports that the Fresno County District Attorney declined to file charges Thursday against 30-year-old Kenneth Johnson, instead sending the case back to the Fresno Police Department until final reports from the coroner's office are released.

Johnson reportedly told police during a three-hour interview Tuesday night that he punched the baby, Jose Luis Espinosa, because he was frustrated with the baby's crying. The baby's babysitter is Johnson's girlfriend.

The baby's mother was in Modesto at the time of the incident, the newspaper reported.

The Fresno Police Department can resubmit a case against Johnson, but he will be out of jail until they do. It was not immediately known Friday if Johnson has an attorney.