Salt Lake County man arrested for allegedly abusing grandson

SALT LAKE COUNTY — A 57-year-old man was arrested Thursday after he allegedly threw his grandson onto a couch during an argument, where he lost consciousness.

A. Martinez with the Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake wrote in the probable cause statement that several family members, who all live at the same apartment in Salt Lake County, told him that Rukundo Banangamambo started an argument about the TV.

“He had a verbal argument with his daughter first (Mother of the victim/child) that was non-criminal,” the document stated. “Family was able to intervene and separate Rukundo and his daughter.”

Banangamambo was also described in court documents as being intoxicated, with “a strong odor of alcohol coming from his person.”

Family members told police that the victim, an approximately 2-year-old boy, was walking around in the living room while the argument was unfolding.

At one point, Banangamambo allegedly grabbed the child.

“The family described that Rukundo picked up the child and threw him on the couch and the child lost consciousness,” read the probable cause statement.

Martinez writes that when he arrived on scene, the child “was breathing and appeared to be asleep,” adding that he woke up the child, “but he quickly would rest and not be very responsive.”

The child was then transported to the hospital for further evaluation, according to court documents.

Rukundo Banangamambo was arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of child abuse, a third-degree felony, commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child, and intoxication.