Father of boy accused of killing his baby half-sister speaks out

Crystian Rivera, 13, is being held without bail on a murder complaint in the death of his half-sister, Linda Beletzuy. Linda was nearly 10 months old when she died Friday from a head injury.

Crystian Rivera told police he shook the infant when her cries began distracting him from playing a video game inside their apartment at 1609 N MacArthur Blvd. Medical staff said Linda Beletzuy had a severe brain injury, a skull fracture and blood clots that were compressing her brain.

Oklahoma City Police Sgt. Jennifer Wardlow said the parents of the girl, Linda and Carlos Beletzuy, are not being investigated for any wrongdoing, but a third child in the house was taken into DHS custody, at least temporarily.

Carlos Beletzuy was reached Thursday but declined to comment on the case.

Crystian's biological father, Byron Rivera, 35, said he read about his son's arrest in The Oklahoman and wants to speak on his behalf.

“It's kind of a huge surprise for me to hear about the situation right now,” he said. “I want peace and freedom for him.”

The last time the two met was at an Oklahoma City restaurant on Sept. 16, 2007. He said they sat and talked for an hour about school and life in the United States.