Wisconsin – A 21-year-old man and his father are being held in connection with the tragic death of 2-year-old Leo Escalante. The child’s death has sparked outrage and sorrow in the community.
What Happened to Leo Escalante?
On June 22, Leo’s mother returned from an errand to find her ex-boyfriend, James Vanderleest, performing CPR on the child. Vanderleest claimed Leo was injured after falling down stairs. However, Leo Escalante died a few days later.
Evidence of Abuse
During a court hearing on June 30, Brown County Deputy District Attorney Wendy Lemkuil stated that the injuries Leo sustained were not consistent with a fall, raising suspicions of abuse. Prosecutors allege that James Vanderleest’s father, David, helped hide his son after the incident.
Further accusations state that James allegedly encouraged Leo’s mother to lie to officials about who was caring for Leo at the time of the injury.
Family’s Heartbreak and Anger
Leo’s relative, Keri Tucker, shared her grief with the court, describing the child as a “happy little snuggly bunny” who brought joy to everyone. “Laying our baby to rest yesterday was one of the worst things… we’ve had to deal with,” Tucker said, expressing her hope that the court system would deliver justice.
Fleeing Authorities
David Vanderleest, James’s father, initially claimed that he was the one caring for Leo the night the child was injured. James, who is not Leo’s biological father, also faces additional domestic abuse charges. Authorities later arrested both men in Florence County, where they had fled to a cabin.
James Vanderleest’s Denial
In court, James denied the accusations, stating, “A lot of this is lies,” according to reports from NBC affiliate WGBA.
Community Support for Leo’s Family
In the wake of Leo’s death, Keri Tucker set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the costs of Leo’s headstone. On the page, Tucker wrote, “Leo did not deserve to be taken from his family at the young age of 2.”