Calif. toddler was beaten to death by his father
June 17, 2008
Michael R. Shea - McClatchy NewspapersIssue date: 6/12/08 Section: Real News
TURLOCK, Calif. _ The toddler who was beaten to death on a dark country road Saturday night was killed by his father, authorities said Monday.
Sergio Aguiar, 27, of Turlock was killed with a single shot to the forehead fired by Modesto police officer Jerry Ramar, who was dropped on the scene in rural Stanislaus County via helicopter as Aguiar kicked and stomped the small boy's head.
Aguiar had parked his gold 2002 Toyota pickup in the eastbound lane, into traffic, and viciously attacked the motionless child as passers-by frantically dialed 911 and tried to stop him. Aguiar seemed calm and spoke of "demons" in the boy. He has no prior criminal history, authorities said.
The 2-year-old boy later was pronounced dead at Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock.
Deputy Rob Latapie, 39, piloting a Sheriff's Department helicopter, spotlighted the scene and saw Aguiar kicking the child "like a soccer ball" and immediately made the decision to land in a cow pasture. Ramar, the flight tactical officer, jumped from the helicopter and ran about 20 yards, his duty weapon drawn, before reaching a set of barbwire and electric fences. He commanded Aguiar to stop. Aguiar raised his middle finger and kicked the baby again. Ramar fired a single shot, killing Aguiar instantly, police said.
"I'm proud of my flight officer," Latapie said Monday. "Making a shot like that, under those conditions, in a low-light, high-stress condition, is almost unheard of. There aren't a lot of people who can make a shot like that in daylight at the range."
Ramar said any officer would have done what he did.
"I'm just a regular cop trying to do a regular cop's job," he said.
Birth records show the boy was born May 8, 2006. His name has not been released, but a manager at the Turlock apartment complex where the mother, Frances Liliana Casian, and son said he was named after the father: Sergio.
Neighbors said investigators visited the building late Saturday night. The mother and child were quiet and kept to themselves, they said. It is unclear if Aguiar also lived in the complex. His name is not on the lease, nor listed as an emergency contact or frequent visitor.
Sergio Aguiar, 27, of Turlock was killed with a single shot to the forehead fired by Modesto police officer Jerry Ramar, who was dropped on the scene in rural Stanislaus County via helicopter as Aguiar kicked and stomped the small boy's head.
Aguiar had parked his gold 2002 Toyota pickup in the eastbound lane, into traffic, and viciously attacked the motionless child as passers-by frantically dialed 911 and tried to stop him. Aguiar seemed calm and spoke of "demons" in the boy. He has no prior criminal history, authorities said.
The 2-year-old boy later was pronounced dead at Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock.
Deputy Rob Latapie, 39, piloting a Sheriff's Department helicopter, spotlighted the scene and saw Aguiar kicking the child "like a soccer ball" and immediately made the decision to land in a cow pasture. Ramar, the flight tactical officer, jumped from the helicopter and ran about 20 yards, his duty weapon drawn, before reaching a set of barbwire and electric fences. He commanded Aguiar to stop. Aguiar raised his middle finger and kicked the baby again. Ramar fired a single shot, killing Aguiar instantly, police said.
"I'm proud of my flight officer," Latapie said Monday. "Making a shot like that, under those conditions, in a low-light, high-stress condition, is almost unheard of. There aren't a lot of people who can make a shot like that in daylight at the range."
Ramar said any officer would have done what he did.
"I'm just a regular cop trying to do a regular cop's job," he said.
Birth records show the boy was born May 8, 2006. His name has not been released, but a manager at the Turlock apartment complex where the mother, Frances Liliana Casian, and son said he was named after the father: Sergio.
Neighbors said investigators visited the building late Saturday night. The mother and child were quiet and kept to themselves, they said. It is unclear if Aguiar also lived in the complex. His name is not on the lease, nor listed as an emergency contact or frequent visitor.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
dina little
posted 6/23/08 @ 7:24 AM MST
Why were the onlookers just watching?
Why didn't anyone jump this maniac and stop him???
I would have been on top of the fellow, grabbing that baby. (Continued…)
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