Tucson man sought in child-poisoning case — (The Arizona Daily Star)

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Cochise County law enforcement officials are searching for a Tucson man charged with attempted murder for allegedly poisoning his two young children.Both children, a 5-year-old girl and a 4-year-old old boy, were in good condition yesterday afternoon at University Medical Center. Carol Capas, a spokeswoman for the Cochise County Sheriff’s Department, said an arrest warrant was issued yesterday by Justice of the Peace Ronald J. Borane for the children’s father, Martin R. Arvizu, 30, a Douglas native whose last known address was in Tucson.

Capas said the judge set the bond for Arvizu at $100,000. Arvizu and his former wife, Mary Elizabeth Arvizu, of Douglas, were divorced in May. Tuesday, Martin Arvizu, who was granted visitation rights by the court, picked up the children at their mother’s home. When he failed to return them at the end of the day, the mother notified the Douglas Police Department. At 7 p.m. Thursday, Martin Arvizu’s parents told Mary Arvizu that the children had been taken to a hospital because they were ill.

Capas said toxicology reports in the case have not been completed. Hospital officials said they could not comment on any medical tests performed. Martin Arvizu’s mother, Maria de los Angeles Arvizu, said her son told the family the children accidentally ingested medication he is taking for depression. Capas said Arvizu’s car was found abandoned in Douglas yesterday but his whereabouts were unknown. Arvizu has brown hair, green eyes, is 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs about 150 pounds. Anyone with information regarding Arvizu is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Department at 1-800-362-0812.

Dateline:  BISBEE Copyright 1997, 1999 The Arizona Daily Star Record Number:  arch_0483