2-year-old found dead at underpass

[onedef92]

UPDATE: Murder charges pending in toddler's death

Posted: Jul 18, 2011 3:24 PM EDT
Updated: Jul 18, 2011 11:29 PM EDT

HUNT COUNTY, TX (KLTV)- The death of a two-year-old boy in one East Texas county is now being called a homicide.

Authorities in Hunt County say the child was already dead when his caregivers met with EMS crews at the intersection of FM 513 and I-30, near Greenville.

Officials say the caregivers called for an ambulance because the boy was not breathing.

"I'm not sure to what level you would devalue a human being to treat it the way this child was treated," said Chief Deputy Joe Knight of the Hunt County Sheriff's Department.

Knight said the caregivers of the child, a male and female in their early twenties, called officials when they realized the two-year-old wasn't breathing.

Since there was an accident between the hospital and the home officials suggested they meet medical personnel there.

"So they were on their way there and AMR told them, 'Well just stop when you get to the overpass.' It just so happened there was an accident on I-30 in that general vicinity at the same time so there were deputies, medical personnel and firefighters that were right there," said Knight.

Knight says that's when medical personnel realized something was extremely wrong and determined the child had died hours earlier.

"It's just pitiful absolutely pitiful. It's hard to believe that somebody would do something like that, but it happens," said Clyde Pippen, saw ambulance.

"We have an investigator on the scene of 30 years plus in law enforcement and in her own words, 'It's the worst I've ever seen.'" said Knight.

Knight says the caregivers who had physical custody of the two- year-old were taken into custody for questioning.

Officials said the caregivers can be detained up to 48 hours without charges.

The caregivers could be charged with criminally negligent homicide, ranging all the way up to capital murder.

UPDATE: Murder charges pending in toddler's death - KLTV 7 News Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville |

[onedef92]

These people need to be taken out and shot. This is sickening.

[Blademaker]

Originally Posted by onedef92

These people need to be taken out and shot. This is sickening.

I was once asked if, all bravado aside, if I could actually kill someone.
I replied that if the target were guilty of something so heinous that they deserved to die a slow, lingering death, then, yes I could.

These pieces of filth fit the bill.

[snide]

for the baby.

[Z06David]

absolutely terrible, im sick of stories like this, people can be so evil

[onedef92]

Originally Posted by Z06David

absolutely terrible, im sick of stories like this, people can be so evil

Despicably, unconscionably lowdown and dirty.

[nhlgopens]

Has Nancy Grace picked up this story yet to turn into another Casey Anthony spectacle?

[onedef92]

Originally Posted by nhlgopens

Has Nancy Grace picked up this story yet to turn into another Casey Anthony spectacle?

I'm sure she'll be all over like flies on a bantha by tonight.

[jaxgator]

The evil, cruelty and total disregard for life in this country is sickening.

[Yerf Dog]

What did the child die from, or did I miss it?

[LATB]

Originally Posted by Yerf Dog

What did the child die from, or did I miss it?

the child died from a culture of insanity

[onedef92]

Originally Posted by Yerf Dog

What did the child die from, or did I miss it?

Case is still under investigation, but apparently some very serious abuse.

[Datawiz]

So, at least we now know where Casey Anthony went.

for the child.

[Mike Mercury]

Knight says that's when medical personnel realized something was extremely wrong and determined the child had died hours earlier.

"It's just pitiful absolutely pitiful. It's hard to believe that somebody would do something like that,

what fools the caregivers are.

Didnt' they learn... anything ???

when you kill a child, you place them in a swamp for awhile so all evidence is removed, then get yourself found not-guilty, then become a millionaire with book/movie/ABC Movie of the Week deals.

[Joecooool]

Originally Posted by Yerf Dog

What did the child die from, or did I miss it?

WTF does that matter??? A CHILD DIED! It's never natural causes. Rational thought and due process be damned, someone must hang.

NOW!

[Yerf Dog]

Originally Posted by Joecooool

WTF does that matter??? A CHILD DIED! It's never natural causes. Rational thought and due process be damned, someone must hang.

NOW!

That's why I was wondering about the murder charges pending. They must not have released some pretty damning information.

They refer to the accused as 'caregivers'. Where are the parents?

[Will]

Did somebody say dead baby?

[onedef92]

Caregivers accused of toddler's murder in court - KLTV 7 News Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville |


Caregivers accused of toddler's murder in court

Posted: Jul 20, 2011 2:39 PM EDT
Updated: Jul 20, 2011 8:00 PM EDT

HUNT COUNTY, TX (KLTV) - An East Texas couple was arraigned on capital murder charges Wednesday afternoon for allegedly killing a two-year-old boy they were supposed to be taking care of.

KLTV 7's TV cameras were the only ones in the court Wednesday afternoon.

Arturo Vega Jr., 23, and his girlfriend, Gabriela Ortiz, 22, both of Campbell, have been formally arraigned on capital murder charges for the death of two-year-old Brandon Herrera.

Officers armed with assault rifles set up a small perimeter around the Hunt County courthouse Wednesday afternoon.

Inside, Gabriela Ortiz and her boyfriend, Arturo Vega, wore bullet proof vests. Authorities say that was for their protection.

"We always try to be careful when emotions run so high," said Chief Deputy Joe Knight with the Hunt County Sheriff's Department.

Ortiz and Vega sat emotionless, keeping a distance from each other. Outside the courthouse we met a woman, who's known Vega since he was a child.

"He was going to church and he was doing real good until his teenage years," said Lupe Torres. "I know his parents are a real good family, but things happen," said Torres.

Torres says she knew the couple was taking care of Brandon Herrera. A little boy, she never got the chance to meet.

"It hurts me real bad. I was crying about it," she said.

Larry Middlebrookes has known Gabriela's family for years. He says the accusations have taken a toll on her father.

"I know he's very upset with the way things are and I know I would be if my child was in that position," he said.

Authorities say for at least six weeks Brandon lived with the couple now accused of ending his life. The home, authorities say is now the prime crime scene. Middlebrooks says he knows Gabriela's father had no idea what was happening.

"Him and his wife are both very tender loving parents and I think if they had known anything about that going on that would have been stopped real quick," said Middlebrookes.

Now, Brandon's accused killers are under close protection until this case is closed.

Arturo Vega's court appointed attorney met with him for the first time Wednesday afternoon to discuss this case.

Both suspects are being held on a $2 million bond in the Hunt County Jail.

[snide]

Originally Posted by onedef92

Caregivers accused of toddler's murder in court - KLTV 7 News Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville |


Caregivers accused of toddler's murder in court

Summary execution. I'll gladly pull the trigger.

[Blademaker]

Originally Posted by snide

Summary execution. I'll gladly pull the trigger.

Just let me work 'em over with a vegetable peeler first.