Arrest report: Mother confessed to hiding 3-year-old's body with boyfriend

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — The 40-year-old man accused in the death of a 3-year-old boy allegedly hit the child and poured hot water on him the weekend of his death, according to the arrest report and criminal complaint.

Prosecutors allege Cassie Smith, the mother of 3-year-old Daniel Theriot, did not provide proper care or medical care in response to physical abuse from Joshua Oxford, her boyfriend.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police arrested both Smith and Oxford on Monday, Sept. 3, after Smith reported Daniel missing out of Sunset Park the previous day.

Lt. Ray Spencer said at the time that investigators became suspicious of the report. During police interviews with Smith and Oxford, both confessed to the abuse and hiding the child's body, and authorities eventually found Daniel's body in a remote area near Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

Smith told police they were home and said Daniel was being disrespectful. The mother described to police how Oxford disciplined the child for his attitude.

According to the arrest report, Oxford repeatedly spanked Daniel and poured hot water on him on Saturday, Sept. 1, while Smith allegedly watched "but did nothing." Smith found Daniel dead on the floor the next morning.

"Cassie intended to call the police, but Joshua said they would both go to prison if she did," the report states.

They drove to the desert near Sunrise Manor, where they put his body into a box, authorities allege. They returned to their apartment and came up with the story about Daniel getting lost at Sunset Park.

Smith ultimately led investigators to Daniel's body, according to the arrest report. A doctor found several contusions, abrasions and blunt force injuries during an autopsy, including multiple rib fractures. Rulings on exact cause and manner of death are still pending forensic lab results.

Smith told investigators she had seen Oxford smack Daniel in the face and spank him. Oxford said both he and Smith would twist his ear, pinch him and hit him.

Both suspects face murder charges in Daniel's death. They also face separate child abuse charges in connection with injuries found in Smith's younger son.

They are expected to be back in court in November.