Police: Clearwater man killed 5-week-old son

CLEARWATER — The man who gave Anthony Ruiz-Portal life violently took it early Saturday after a domestic dispute with the infant's mother, authorities say.

According to Clearwater police, Jose Ruiz-Lopez, 25, battered Veronica Portal, 23, inside the couple's apartment and held her against her will.

She was able to escape from the S Corona Avenue apartment, but while she was gone, Ruiz-Lopez shook his 5-week-old son and threw him on the tile floor.

The couple called 911 at 2:04 a.m. Saturday because the baby was vomiting and unresponsive. He was taken to Morton Plant Hospital, where he died at 4:10 a.m.

An autopsy revealed Ruiz-Portal, who was born Sept. 17, died from blunt trauma.

His father was charged with second degree murder.

Rodney Thrash can be reached at rthrash@sptimes.com or (727) 445-4167.