A heartbreaking tragedy in Wisconsin has left a community reeling after a 2-year-old boy died under suspicious circumstances — and now a 21-year-old man and his father are facing serious legal consequences.
Little Leo Escalante was rushed to the hospital after his mother returned home on June 22 and found her ex-boyfriend, James Vanderleest, performing CPR on the toddler. Vanderleest claimed Leo had fallen down the stairs — but investigators and doctors say the injuries didn’t match that story.
“The injuries sustained by this two-year-old were not consistent with a fall down the stairs,” said Brown County Deputy District Attorney Wendy Lemkuil during a court hearing on June 30, according to WGBA.
Leo died days later, and now prosecutors are alleging something far more sinister: not only do they believe James Vanderleest was responsible for the fatal injuries, but that his father, David Vanderleest, helped hide him from authorities. The two were eventually arrested at a cabin in Florence County in late June, according to WLUK.
Authorities also allege James pressured Leo’s mother to lie about who had been caring for the child that day.
“Leo was just a happy little snuggly bunny, lover boy, always smiling,” said a heartbroken family member, Keri Tucker, speaking to WBAY. “He had such a big laugh… he brought everybody joy.”
As she wiped away tears, she added: “Instant anger, sorrow, hurt. Everything was just so painful. Laying our baby to rest yesterday was one of the worst things we’ve had to deal with. I just hope this court system gets it right.”
Both James and his father are being held in connection to the case. James, who is not Leo’s biological father, has other pending charges, some involving alleged domestic abuse. In court, he insisted, “A lot of this is lies,” according to WGBA.
David Vanderleest, meanwhile, told officials he — not his son — had been watching Leo when the injuries occurred.
A GoFundMe has been launched to help the family afford a headstone for Leo. “Leo did not deserve to be taken from his family at the young age of 2,” wrote Tucker on the page.
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Author: thedailycrime1
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