Placentia Man Arrested in Child’s Death
PLACENTIA — A 25-year-old father was arrested Thursday on suspicion of striking his 15-month-old daughter in the abdomen on Thanksgiving Day last year and killing her, police said.
Victor Medina Lopez Jr. was booked into Orange County Jail on suspicion of murder and child abuse, police said.
Gabriella Victoria Lopez was in full cardiac arrest when paramedics arrived at the home on Avenida de Pio Pico. She died on arrival at the hospital, police said.
Paramedics and hospital officials saw suspicious bruises on the infant’s torso, but her father told police that she had fallen off the couch, police said.
A coroner’s investigation later revealed that Gabriella died of a blow to the abdomen, which lacerated her heart and liver.
Orange County prosecutors originally declined to file charges against the father, due to a lack of evidence, said Placentia Police Det. Daron Wyatt.
Subsequent interviews of witnesses led to the arrest, police said.
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