They say Zerrick Marquez was taken into custody Tuesday and is being held on suspicion of child abuse resulting in death in the Dec. 10 death of 4-year-old James Dunklee.
Marquez is described as a friend of the child’s mother.
Police say Marquez was babysitting Dunklee when he called 911 to say the boy was unresponsive.
They say the child died while being transported to a hospital.
It was unclear Tuesday night if Marquez has a lawyer yet who can speak on his behalf about the case.