Anthony Valencia, 2

Anthony Valencia, a 2-year-old Latino boy, was allegedly beaten to death in Long Beach on April 16. A coroner's spokesman said Anthony was in the care of his mother's boyfriend, Genaro Salas Blanco Jr., when he died. A sibling of the toddler told authorities that Blanco struck Anthony's head against a refrigerator and beat him because the child wet his pants, said Capt. Ed Winter of the L.A. County coroner's office.

Paramedics were called around 7:55 a.m. and discovered Anthony lying on the living room floor of the family's apartment in the 1400 block of Magnolia Avenue. The boy was conscious and breathing but unresponsive, according to a police statement. He had suffered multiple bruises on his neck, chest and upper arms and died from multiple traumatic injuries. Paramedics took Anthony to St. Mary's Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Blanco, 25, was arrested and charged with murder, torture and assault on a child causing death. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in Los Angeles County jail awaiting trial.--Jack Leonard/LAT

Comments

[DG]

This man who has done this should be punished to the full extent of the law.. How could something like this happen.. Its heartbreaking to even read something so disturbing.. My heart goes out to the sibling of the child. to have to witness something like that.. GOd Bless Him.

[Concerned Parent]

Very sad story, it's very hear breaking to hear innocent children get hurt. This should be a wake up call for mother's, it's mentioned very often that babies get hurt from the mothers boyfriend. Specially if the boyfriend is not the actual father. I have a 6yr old child and I would be devasted if my son lost his life to a violent act..

R.I.P Anthony, a new angel in heaven!

[a fan of the representative from California - Jill]

This is an extremely difficult read. I wish we could stop horrible things like this from happening. It brings a pit of ill feeling to the center of my torso.