The father of a toddler who died of an apparent head injury just days after coming into his care was arrested Wednesday and booked on suspicion of felony child abuse.
Dany Vidaury, 35, is accused in the death of his 2-year-old daughter, whose name has not been disclosed by authorities.
Officers responded at 6:45 a.m. Tuesday to San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital, where they were informed by a hospital employee that the girl was not breathing, according to Banning police. The toddler died the same day from her injuries, which included “sustained head injuries and bruising throughout her body,” police said.
Vidaury, who was “the sole caretaker and person in contact with the 2-year old” beginning Nov. 1, gave a statement that “did not coincide with evidence obtained by detectives,” according to a police statement that says detectives investigating the case determined the youngster “was in good health and spirits” just days prior to her death.
Viduary was arrested Tuesday and booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside in lieu of $290,000 bail.
“The father was essentially uncooperative with us,” Banning police Sgt. Mike Bennett told NBC4. “Wouldn’t give us information about the baby, wouldn’t give us information about the mother of the child.
“We have evidence to show when the child left the mother, (she) was in a good state, had no injuries,” Bennett said. “Here we are five, six days later and the child, obviously, got injuries that resulted in her death.”
According to Channel 4, the girl’s mother said Vidaury, who is her ex-boyfriend, was recently granted partial custody and it was the first time the child had been alone with him.
Anyone with information regarding the case was asked to call the Banning Police Department at (951) 922-3170.
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