A man is now scheduled to be arraigned Thursday on charges that he murdered his 74-year-old grandmother and injured his 77-year-old grandfather in a New Year’s Day attack at the West Covina home the three shared.
Joshua Philip Day, 28, of West Covina, is scheduled to appear in a Pomona courtroom on one count each of murder and one felony count of elder or dependent adult abuse with great bodily injury, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Day is accused of repeatedly punching his 74-year-old grandmother, Priscilla Sesanto, and 77-year-old grandfather, Philip Sesanto, who were taken to a hospital after a neighbor called 911, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Day was arrested that afternoon by West Covina police and remains jailed without bail, jail records show.
The defendant’s grandmother was pronounced dead the following day, while his grandfather was treated for his injuries and subsequently released from the hospital, West Covina police said shortly after Day’s arrest.
Day could face up to 34 years to life in state prison if convicted as charged, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
“Priscilla and Philip Sesanto were married for more than 50 years and beloved in their community,” District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement. “This case illustrates the tragic consequences of violence committed against the elderly population, with that violence often perpetrated by family members.”