James VanderLeest, a 21-year-old Wisconsin father, is accused of fatally hurting his 2-year-old son, Leo Escalante, and then attempting to shift the blame onto his own father while fleeing authorities.
The incident happened on June 22. James said that little Leo slipped down the steps while being watched by his grandfather, David VanderLeest, 48. According to WLUK, an autopsy indicated that the youngster died as a consequence of a “acute incident,” not an inadvertent fall.
James VanderLeest has yet to be formally charged, but authorities expect him to face numerous felony charges in connection with his son’s tragic death. Meanwhile, his father, David, is already detained and might face charges for supporting his son in evading police and hiding at a family member’s cabin.
David maintains his innocence. He told the court that his main goal was to keep his son from dying by suicide, not to help him avoid justice. However, prosecutors vehemently disagree.
“There was 20 to 25 minutes that David and James barricaded themselves inside and refused to come out,” said Deputy District Attorney Wendy Lemkuil. Police eventually used a flash bomb to enter the home.
“To suggest David wasn’t obstructing the investigation is ridiculous,” she added firmly.
Both men made their first court appearances on Monday. James was handed a $2 million bail, while David received a $100,000 cash bond.
David denied ever being at his son’s house during the time of the fatal injuries. “My written statement never said I was there. It’s being twisted,” he said in court, expressing frustration with the case’s handling.
He went on to claim that prosecutors are unfairly targeting his family. “We’re allowing prosecutors just to lie against the VanderLeest family, it’s what normally happens in this town,” he stated.
David further claimed that James had no idea there was a warrant for his arrest and that his role was only to prevent a suicide.
According to reports, James VanderLeest has a troubled background. He has four open cases in Brown County, with allegations ranging from domestic violence and battery to criminal property damage and strangulation.
Adding to the worrisome pattern, Leo’s mother apparently obtained a protective order against James. Prosecutors believe James persuaded her to lie and pretend his father was with Leo throughout the incident.
James is expected to appear to court on July 16, followed by David on July 17.
Family members of Leo’s mother are heartbroken. “Because James could run away with his dad, my nephew can never run on this Earth again,” said Keri Tucker, Leo’s great-aunt. “For that, James, you deserve to stay behind those brick walls.”
