Authorities are investigating the death of a 5-year-old boy that allegedly resulted from the child being beaten in Livingston Parish, Louisiana, according to reports.
Leonardo “Leo” Eslinger was transported to Children’s Hospital in New Orleans on December 28, 2023 and died three days later, relatives said.
The boy was born in Evansville, Indiana, but had been living in Albany, Louisiana.
The injured boy was airlifted from Albany to Children’s Hospital in New Orleans where he later died.
Two people have been arrested in the case, including the boy’s 26-year-old father, Joseph Eslinger and the father’s girlfriend, identified as Diana Lopez. She is also 26-years-old.
Livingston Parish Detention Center records show both were arrested on December 28 and charged with Cruelty to a Juvenile with Major Injuries. They remain incarcerated.
An officer with the Albany Police Department said the department was not releasing details on the investigation at this time, the station reported.
District Attorney Scott Perrilloux said his office is aware of the case and will work with the Albany Police Department to review the facts to determine if the criminal charges should be upgraded or otherwise altered.
The Livingston Parish Coroner’s Office is conducting the autopsy on the child. That agency’s chief investigator said Tuesday the autopsy will take quite some time to complete, indicating the process could take a month or more.
Tell us your thoughts...