SAN JACINTO – UPDATE# 3: Toddler’s death being investigated by sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit, officials say

February 18, 2016 Trevor Montgomery

Trevor Montgomery

Photographer

UPDATED: Feb. 20, 3 a.m.

WRITER’S NOTE: Please keep in mind, just because the Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit is investigating this case, does not mean this tragic incident WAS an actual homicide. CHU handles SIDS deaths as well as many NON-CRIMINAL death investigations.

The apartment where a 22-month-old was found dead Feb 18.

SAN JACINTO – Sheriff’s officials have announced that the death of a toddler in San Jacinto on Thursday, Feb. 18, is being investigated by the sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit, with assistance from investigators from the Hemet-Valle Vista Sheriff’s Station and the Coroner’s Bureau.

The investigation began when the mother of the victim called 911 to report her daughter was not breathing. In a press release, Riverside Sheriff Sergeant Walter Mendez said, “Deputies arrived on scene and located a 22-month-old child unresponsive inside the residence. Medical personnel were summoned, but were not able to resuscitate the child. The child was eventually pronounced deceased at the scene.”

In different media interviews, the mother, identified as 22-year-old Tamara Barker, said she found her young daughter early on that morning and discovered she had choked on her own vomit. She stated she attempted CPR, but was unable to revive her daughter. She also described her daughter as being “mentally slow,” but always happy.

Many throughout the community have expressed grief for the loss of the young girl over social media.

No official information has been released yet regarding the cause of the victim’s death or the circumstances surrounding the death. The coroner’s report is still pending.

In an earlier phone interview, Deputy Mike Vasquez, Riverside Sheriff press information officer, explained there were many different aspects of the case that were still being closely investigated and could not be discussed. He also said very little information could be released yet, as this is an active and ongoing investigation.

In his press release, Mendez echoed Vasquez, releasing little information and very few details about the investigation, which in part said, “Due to the child’s age, investigators from the Sheriff’s San Jacinto Station and the Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit responded to the location and assumed the investigation. Due to the ongoing status of the investigation, no further information will be released at this time.”

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call Investigator Alberto Loureiro of the Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit at (760) 393-3524, or Investigator Chris Porrazzo of the Sheriff’s Hemet Station at (951) 791-3400.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

SAN JACINTO – UPDATE# 2: Few details being released

following death investigation

SAN JACINTO – A death investigation of a young child is still being conducted and almost no information is being released at this time, according to Deputy Mike Vasquez, press information officer for Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Vasquez, who spoke about the death investigation Friday afternoon said, “Yesterday at about 9 a.m., we received a call about a juvenile medical aid. On arrival deputies located a baby not breathing. The baby was pronounced deceased at the scene. At this point we can only confirm we are conducting a death investigation.” Vasquez would not confirm if the incident was being handled as a standard death investigation or as a homicide, explaining more information would be released following the deputies’ investigation and release of the coroner’s findings.

Regarding early rumors and reports that the child was either stabbed or choked on vomit, Vasquez said, “Truthfully, I can’t comment on that one way or another. That information is going to have to be determined as part of the death investigation.”

Although some reports have indicated the deceased child was a one-year-old girl, Vasquez was not able to confirm the age or gender of the child.

Vasquez was also not able to confirm if deputies attempted life saving measures upon their arrival or if they were able to immediately determine the child was already deceased.

Following the death of the child, three other children were reportedly removed from the home by Child Protective Services and placed into protective custody with a family member, pending the outcome of the death investigation.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

ORIGINAL STORY

Juvenile medical aid call turns into death investigation, officials say

SAN JACINTO – An early morning 911 call of a juvenile medical aid on Thursday, Feb. 18, has led to a death investigation after the unidentified child was found deceased, Riverside County Sheriff press information officer Deputy Amando Munoz has confirmed.

The incident occurred on the 800 block of Main Street at the Mountain View Apartments, according to Munoz.

Riverside sheriff crime scene investigators worked late into the evening.

More than 15 hours after the incident was first reported, no press release had been provided by the department and almost no information was available, Munoz said. No information was available regarding the age, sex or circumstances surrounding the death of the child.

Late into the evening sheriff’s forensics personnel were still at the apartment complex, collecting evidence and conducting their death investigation.

“The San Jacinto Police Department received the call of a juvenile medical aid call. Responding deputies found the child was deceased. This is an active and ongoing investigation. No further information is available at this time,” Munoz explained.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the San Jacinto Police Department at (951) 654-2702. Callers can remain anonymous.