Man charged in death of 17-month-old girl

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By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Oct 7, 2008 at 7:26 AM EST

Story Updated: Oct 7, 2008 at 7:26 AM EST

HAMMOND, Ind. (AP) — A Hammond man has been charged with murder in the death of his girlfriend's 17-month-old daughter.

Twenty-eight-year-old Jose Antonio Mendoza is being held without bond in the Lake County Jail. He is charged in the death of Savannah Fullgraf, who died Saturday at a Chicago hospital.

The Cook County medical examiner's office ruled her death was from multiple injuries due to child abuse. Doctors at St. Margaret Mercy Hospital in Hammond reported she had extensive bruises, as well as burns and broken bones.

The girl's mother called police Saturday and told dispatchers her child wasn't breathing.

Police say Mendoza would often baby-sit the girl. He told them he would grab Savannah by the face and neck when she would not stop crying.

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Information from: The Times, http://nwitimes.com

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 2:26 PM Grit wrote ...

Scuzz. The mother needs to be given a Duh award, or arrested for child endangerment for leaving her child with a dangerous person. Most people think nothing of leaving their children with people they wouldn't loan their car to, making it fairly clear how much value they place in their children. Pathetic society.

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 9:19 AM mom of 4 wrote ...

he should die the same way he took her life. god bless the family.

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 7:22 AM bee wrote ...

what is going on with people?mothers,you need tonot let your boyfriends wath your babies.you need to be watchful of anyone watching your kids.what a peice of waste.it makes me so sad to hear about this over and over.if your boyfriend isnt working,and sittin on his butt letting you support him,heres your sign.DONT LET HIM BABYSIT.hope this guy gets what hes got coming and i mean death.

Tuesday, Oct 7 at 4:50 PM this is sick! wrote ...

well, what do you say after reading this, anon said "wake up mothers" I guess leave it at that. I'm sure his fellow prison mates will take care of him after hearing his story, oh wait, maybe society should rehabilitat & give a 2nd chance, fellow prisoners have my vote!

Tuesday, Oct 7 at 3:16 PM just me wrote ...

Pretty sure the boys in the pen. will give him a taste of what this poor child went through. Everytime I read something like this (more and more often) it makes me SICK to think that a human being is capable of this. The people that really loved this child should be alowed to do with him what they feel is right. My heart and prayers go out to these people, and gods spead to the little one.

Tuesday, Oct 7 at 10:39 AM Anonymous wrote ...

send him my way so i can whip him god have mercy on your soul for what you did to this poor innocent child whats wrong with this society to many children get beaten or killed this is just wrong wake up mothers protect your children never leave kids alone take them to daycare so they can relate to other kids to play with them not to face death while being left with a child abuser make that guy pay for the funeral too judge dont forget he took a human life give him the death chamber

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