Infant dies, father who called for help charged

PORTLAND, Ore. – Eugene father Derek Jackson called 9-1-1 to get medical help for his infant son, Ryder, this past Saturday. 

The 3-month-old boy died Tuesday at Doernbecher's Children's Hospital in Portland.

On Friday afternoon, Eugene police detectives charged 22-year-old Jackson with first-degree manslaughter and assault. The detectives are part of Eugene's Violent Crimes Unit.

The Eugene Police Department released a press release on the arrest Friday; KATU received the verbiage of that release Saturday.

"Saturday, June 19 at around 11:03 a.m., Jackson placed a call to 9-1-1 requesting medical help for his son," it reports. "Ryder was taken to Riverbend Hospital by City of Eugene EMS and subsequently was transported to Doernbecher's Children's Hospital in Portland."

The Eugene Police Department reportedly "began investigating the case on Saturday," June 19.

"The detectives worked closely with Department of Human Services on the case throughout the week," reports the release. "An extensive investigation determined Derek Jackson was responsible for the death of Ryder Jackson."

No further details about what caused the determination are included.