UPDATE: 2-year-old dies of injuries; father in custody

WSBT-TV and Tribune Staff Report

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Valentin Escobedo

Valentin Escobedo (Photo provided)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Dec 3, 2008 at 5:18 PM EST

Story Updated: Dec 4, 2008 at 2:57 PM EST

SOUTH BEND — A 2-year-old girl who was taken to the hospital with a fractured skull has died, and her father has been arrested in connection with her injuries.

The girl was declared brain dead Wednesday evening and is being kept on life support pending organ donation procedures. An autopsy will be conducted following the procedure.

Police arrested her father, 24-year-old Valentin Escobedo, of South Bend, on Wednesday afternoon after conducting an investigation into his daughter’s injuries.

South Bend police were first called by doctors at Memorial Hospital after the 2-year-old arrived in the emergency room suffering from a fractured skull and “immense swelling” of her head.

Police said it is not known how the girl was injured, but that because of the serious nature of the incident, the case was turned over to Metro Homicide Unit investigators.

Police also helped the Department of Child and Protective Services gain custody of the girl’s 5-year-old brother, who was found at a relative’s house.

St. Joseph County Metro Homicide continues to investigate the case.

Read Thursday’s South Bend Tribune for more on this story, and watch WSBT News at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. for the latest.

Thursday, Dec 11 at 12:28 PM emmy wrote ...

CPS does have a very difficult job. Often times they have their hands tied by ineffective State rules and regs. Indiana needs to look hard at how they are handling these situations. I have found out that Indiana has one of the poorest records in dealing with child abuse and neglect because the CPS cannot remove children until it's too late. of situations

Friday, Dec 5 at 11:24 PM Pastor Vicki wrote ...

In time everything will come into light, and God will take care of it; Instead of Rambling on about who, and how. why don't you pray for the family, they really need your prayers at this time.

Friday, Dec 5 at 10:29 PM ab wrote ...

i know this little girl i watched her at a gym and she always seemed happy she played with my daughter and she was a very cute sweet little girl that did nothing wrong. how can any one hurt their own child. it makes me sick.if u dont want kids then dont have them cuz the poor kids get the punishment. i love this little girl and i am so sorry this happend

Friday, Dec 5 at 2:56 PM Sabrina wrote ...

Well soon the little angel will be with GOD, my heart goes out to all of the friends and family of this sweet little 2 year old! I am truly sorry for your loss. As for everyone out her eposting nasty judgmental comments lets wait until the full story comes out before condeming anyone. The circumstances are not public, everyone has the their right to speak, however have some respect, some of you are jumping onto other levels. GoD Bless!

Friday, Dec 5 at 1:03 PM Kim wrote ...

CPS should not be a topic of any commets especially when they do after all have a job to do and have to respond when asked to especially when a small child has injuries such as this poor little girl did. As for the father he should be arrested for what happened to his daughter to insure you can find him when they find out what caused this little girls death. As for the mom unless she is dead or not yet found then it is none of anyone's business where she is curently.

Friday, Dec 5 at 11:52 AM dahan wrote ...

What wsbt will post (morbid, graphic violence, etc.) and won't post says more about wsbt than anyone else.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 11:48 PM not all cps workers are bad people come on wrote ...

I am not a CPS worker but know one and see what she goes thru how her heart gets broken how she cries wants these kids to come home with her but she was boundaries she is held too, wish all you people who could do better would train and apply maybe we could get more positions filled and do more but be prepared to take a pay cut I am sure, my friens collects clothes in her garage she buys herself from friends to give kids and anything she can get her hands on even food as food banks are empty

Thursday, Dec 4 at 11:44 PM hey sickened mom of 2 why dont you train and get a CPS job??? wrote ...

you people seem to think thay CPS people are God can make their own rules and can just take kids away and not have to give them back. why dont you go do this job...times you have to give them back you dont want to cause you know you can voice your concerns but your voice is not final its the judges if they do what they are told they get their kids back till they screw up again unfortunally the next time often is too late its a no win situation we are bound by limits too try the job yourself

Thursday, Dec 4 at 10:31 PM DON'T BLAME DCS! wrote ...

I too work in the medical field and I would NEVER BASH another AGENCY that is doing the best they can to help situations that are created by people that DON'T CARE!!!! CPS CARES!! They didn't drop any ball!! They come around and pick up pieces with VERY LITTLE compensation or SUPPORT!! They are the only reason this little girl made it as long as she did! They deal with this situation ALL the TIME! You need to support them and encourage the difference they make in this SICK WORLD! GET REAL!

Thursday, Dec 4 at 10:06 PM to the defenders wrote ...

I appreciate openmindedness but I believe yours have opened to the point where your brains have leaked out. Perhaps you misunderstand the situation. This grown man, who we consider to be an adult, beat a two year old girl to death. He murdered his own daughter by hitting her until she was dead. There can be no defense for this act. Even the most primitive of societies would view this as just cause for death or banishment. Only a like degenerate could find any justification in this. Fools.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 9:53 PM amateurs wrote ...

Your cries for vengeance are encouraging, but amateur. There are so many ingenious ways to cause suffering. Bashing his head in is quaint, but hardly elegant. Being slowly devoured by biting insects can be deliciously slow and agonizing. Perhaps infection with botfly larvae. As the insects dug through his flesh, you could loop old home movies of his daughter, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That's the problem with our penal system these days. There is not nearly enough suffering.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 9:52 PM old college friend wrote ...

Yes, this was his child, and yes they were married,so they had every right to have a baby. I am in anguish for the 2 yr. old and for her mother. Imagine what she is going through! All you people cursing him before we know the details... He may have done it; he may not have. I don't know. Time will tell. Do I have a thought, yes, but only God knows all. Shame on the people that sit back and judge. It's absolutley horrific, but let that cause you all to his your knees with me in prayer!

Thursday, Dec 4 at 8:36 PM crazy_sally wrote ...

What was the dad thinking.! Why would he first of all do it to a child second of all A FLIPPIN GIRL.! Abuse lock hemm upp mann.!

Thursday, Dec 4 at 8:24 PM Just Me wrote ...

Why do people want to defend CPS? They always tend to favor the parents in real cases. But let a child cry "wolf" when nothing happened, and they remove them. I think we should hold CPS to a higher standard than we do. These people are paid minimum wages and really don't have that much training. Where is our money going that we can't do better for our children?

Thursday, Dec 4 at 8:24 PM please... wrote ...

Wow. Do any of you KNOW this family? Were ANY of you there when it happened? Or are you just going to believe EVERYthing you hear or read? Let the family grieve in peace. This family has lost enough...now they have the community tearing them apart too?

Thursday, Dec 4 at 5:59 PM Stop the Nastiness... wrote ...

I pray for the family during this hard time. I pray that we find out what really happened and people would stop leaving nasty comments. Please give the family respect and leave the nastiness in your own heart. Jesus is the reason for the season. Please please please respect them.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 5:54 PM anonymous wrote ...

every one so quick to condem CPS workers who risk their life's everyday saving hundreds of children from idiot parents, you should be kissing their feet and thanking them for the thankless task they do.. bad things happen even to sweet little babies, and the blame goes to who ever raised their hand not to the one who protect.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 5:45 PM Elkhart wrote ...

Wheres the mom?

Thursday, Dec 4 at 5:44 PM Erik wrote ...

BREAKING NEWS: His DEFENSE is; He was drunk driving and killed the child. The non-elected Judge Chamblee will sentence him the same as the other KILLER: 2 years in prison, serve 1.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 5:35 PM Dillweed wrote ...

This is what satan looks like.......

Thursday, Dec 4 at 5:19 PM Annonimous wrote ...

This creep should end up in jail and rot there for what he has done to the girl. Where is the mother in all of this? Creeps like this should be in the locker longer than anyone else because the prey on the little ones and get no punishment. I hope he finds Jesus Christ there and changes his life forever.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 5:14 PM roomy wrote ...

they better fire CPS workers or hire more to deal with the abusive cases.obviously they can`t do their job!

Thursday, Dec 4 at 5:01 PM Rev. Obermeyer wrote ...

This case is one of a kind where a father is guilty of a baby girls death. Fathers always love their baby girls but this one is one of a kind and he certainly needs counseling and instruction on how to raise children at an early age. I wish colleges and universities should give parents free courses on how to raise children at an early age that way this child would not have died. Now all we have to do is to pray as Jesus said: Let all the children come to me... now this child is with God.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 4:38 PM bee wrote ...

CONCERNED if you click on the related articles one of them states that she had been in the hospital before and that there were alot of old fractures.this is why she was took away by cps.then they gave her back and now shes dead and that monster is in jail.hope he goes to hades,but let the boys in prison have some shots at him before he goes byebye.this is so so sad.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 4:23 PM Dave Goshen wrote ...

Well I hope all of you, that voiced your opinions previously, can now reflect on what a terrible act this really is. Maybe a little restraint would be in order before commenting so quickly. May she rest in peace.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 4:19 PM GAD wrote ...

This monster makes me sick!! Either kill him or he will end up dead anyways. I feel so sorry for this little angel but she may never ever hurt again. RIP Sweet Angel....

Thursday, Dec 4 at 4:13 PM mom of 4 year old wrote ...

It is very sad that this little girl had to die. Too many people out there have children and should not, while others wish to have more and cannot. If this man is guity than he deserves whatever comes to him.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 3:58 PM Cornfusion wrote ...

Say what you want about cops, another thankless part of their job is to handle these kind of criminals and keep from mussing up their hair, or pulling it out! I'm not sure how often I could see this and keep it together. They're only human which is more than I can say for this scum.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 3:53 PM hannibal wrote ...

bring him to me and I will do "justice".................we will start with his head being clamped in a hardware store's paint shaker...........

Thursday, Dec 4 at 3:51 PM fulton resident wrote ...

I agree with the need to praise the nurses and doctores as well, so see this first handed would be terrible. My son was in ICU at Memorial after being born, and you could not ask for better nurses! My prays to the family of this poor child!

Thursday, Dec 4 at 3:37 PM Mad Mom wrote ...

I hope somebody bashes this POS's head in and kills him in prison! Our tax dollars should not be spent to keep a monster like this alive...he deserves nothing but pain and suffering! RIP little angel girl.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 3:36 PM for sad for mother of child. wrote ...

have u read the latest? the beautiful baby girl is dead now.. that is murder he deserves to die

Thursday, Dec 4 at 3:35 PM Nurses & Doctors wrote ...

God bless the nurses and doctors who help these child abuse cases. My own daughter was in the PIC unit at Memorial due to a bacterial infection and they were the most affectionate, loving, and caring people in the world. It must break their hearts to see these cases so often...

Thursday, Dec 4 at 3:33 PM Concerned wrote ...

I'm sorry if I wasn't clear in my original note, someone commented on where was the mother, I was addressing that, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a mother that works, as I am a working mother. I know most fathers are wonderful, and I was simply stating a mother should be able to leave their children with their father's. Refer to sadsadsad comment, and that is what I was addressing. God bless this little girl and her family, may she rest in peace.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 2:14 PM sad for mother of child wrote ...

I would like to state that the reports are for neglect and are not for abuse. That being said, where was this father and how did this baby get hurt. I am sure all of this will come out soon enough as the polic do their investigation. Til then, remember, Judge, less ye be judged.....

Thursday, Dec 4 at 1:37 PM me wrote ...

LOCK HIM UP AND THROW AWAY THE KEY!

Thursday, Dec 4 at 1:30 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Maybe he will get the same sentence that a person when you kill someone while drunk driving.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 1:05 PM mom of 4 wrote ...

This is horrible. I know 2 year olds can be a hand full some times there was no reason for this. He looks familar,, has he been on this site before?

Thursday, Dec 4 at 1:03 PM Josephine wrote ...

First of all just because he is looks mexican does not mean he is illegal! Yes this guy is where he needs to be right now locked up. Now just let the law do there job. Remember whether he is legal or not we hear this happening all over the world and of all racist!

Thursday, Dec 4 at 12:47 PM Homer wrote ...

He's in the running for Father of the Year award!

Thursday, Dec 4 at 12:45 PM Anonymous wrote ...

The biggest problem is that the people who are having children are children, or barely adults,have had poor examples of parents themselves and are very narcdisstic. Practice some birth control. I hope the animal father gets his butt kicked when it is found out in jail what he is in for...He is a socio path.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 12:15 PM sickened mom of 2 wrote ...

I hope this rotten piece of crap and CPS rot in HELL for this! St. Joe county CPS is a joke! They do NOTHING for these innocent kids b/c they think the kids should be with their "parents". That is a crock of crap! People like him don't deserve these kids!

Thursday, Dec 4 at 12:13 PM Anonymous wrote ...

to bad they didnt deport him before he hurt her again.. this time he really did it.. She will probably NEVER be the same. This is a sad sad story

Thursday, Dec 4 at 12:08 PM rm wrote ...

give 5 minutes with him

Thursday, Dec 4 at 11:57 AM Bob wrote ...

Hey Concerned - Since when is it a crime for the mother to go to work to try and put food on the table if the father can't (more likely WON'T). He should be able to at least be responsible enough to watch a 2 yr. old WITHOUT almost killing her. May YOU never go hungry.....from your comment, you sound like it's the mothers' fault. Most fathers ARE responsible and can handle the job. Maybe they both work, but different shifts? There's a thought. Just not able to watch is own(?) child.....

Thursday, Dec 4 at 11:16 AM crazy wrote ...

to free thinker. it will come out and you will see that he did this. he did it before and he did it again. this time more serious. he deserves everything bad that can happen to him. she couldn't protect herself from this idiot. no one else should have to worry about him anymore.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 11:11 AM Concerned..... wrote ...

In reading these comments I am disturbed with the mob mentality, how many mothers leave their children with father while they WORK, I read nothing in the article about "old" injuries, please let the police do their jobs so we all can know what happened, we have to remember there is a little girl in the hospital, and we do not know the cause, neglect could be many things, not necessarily he abused her.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 10:04 AM what a loser wrote ...

he deserves the same as he did to that little baby girl.. what a rotten person... hope he gets the death penalty

Thursday, Dec 4 at 8:49 AM Freethinker wrote ...

The thought of someone hurting a child makes me sick. But, this story says that the cause of the childs injuries are unknown. Some of you are adding to the story and showing your irrational tendencies.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 8:45 AM crazy wrote ...

they should investigate cps on why they sent the baby back to be abused even more and possibly killed if she dies. fire that person and the supervisor and bash the guys head in just like he did his daughter.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 7:53 AM hmmmm wrote ...

I'm all for deportation. He's probably here illegally anyway. Idiot. He deserves the same treatment he gave this poor baby if not more.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 7:46 AM Anonymous wrote ...

So sad. What is happening in this world. Every month we read about something like this happening. I just don't understand. I will pray for this little angel.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 6:09 AM JOE MI wrote ...

HOW IN THE HELL WOULD HE LIKE THE SAME TREATMENT IT JUST MAKES ME SICK WHAT IS HAPPENING TO KIDS AND BABYS

Thursday, Dec 4 at 6:03 AM bee wrote ...

why do people hurt their children?i just dont get what a 2 yr. old could do to deserve being hurt over and over again.this obviously has been going on for a while now,with old fractures found. why did they give her back to her parents?it breaks my heart.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 5:38 AM Mad Dog wrote ...

Lock him up and throw away the key.Good job CPS.You belong in jail with this animal.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 4:29 AM SadSadSad wrote ...

Piece of Crap guy-doesn't deserve to be called daddy! I wonder where mom is?

Thursday, Dec 4 at 3:57 AM Well... wrote ...

...and on and on it goes, where it will stop nobody knows...there are too many children injured, or worse, every single solitary day. Something has to be done and I wish I knew what that was.

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 10:35 PM Anonymous wrote ...

fyi patient was intially taken to SJRMC ER and stabilized before being transferred to Memorial for continued pediatriac intensive care.

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 6:16 PM Sue wrote ...

Nice guy.

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