UPDATE: Parents of a 2-year-old Toddler who Drowned in 2021 Arrested for Child Endangerment
DATE/TIME: Sunday, June 13, 2021 / 6:30 a.m.
INCIDENT: Death Investigation/Drowning
PC 273a(a) - Child Endengerment
PC 30605(a) - Possession of an Assault Weapon
LOCATION: 15000 Rolling Ridge Drive, Chino Hills
VICTIM: Melanie Garcia, two-year-old resident of Chino Hills
SUSPECTS: Roberto Garcia-Negrete, 23-years-old, Resident of El Monte
Samantha Borrayo, 23-years-old, Resident of El Monte
***************UPDATE*********************
Detectives completed the death investigation and submitted it to the Rancho Cucamonga District Attorney’s Office. After a lengthy review of the totality of the circumstances, the District Attorney’s Office filed felony charges on both parents for child endangerment, and weapons charges for possession of the assault rifle on Roberto Negrete.
On August 4, 2022, both parents were arrested and booked in at the West Valley Detention Center and later bailed out on $250,000 bail.
********************************************
SUMMARY:
On Sunday, June 13, 2021, at 6:30 a.m. deputies from the Chino Hills Station were called regarding a two-year-old who died at Kaiser Hospital in Ontario. The two-year-old girl, Melanie Garcia, was brought to the hospital by her parents who said they found her unresponsive in the pool at their home and rushed her to the hospital. Medical staff attempted to revive Melanie but were unsuccessful.
Detectives with the Specialized Investigations Division responded to conduct the investigation. Detectives determined that Melanie woke up and exited the backyard of the home where her parents found her in the shallow area of the pool.
During the investigation, detectives located a marijuana cultivation and unregistered firearms in the home. The Narcotics Division, Marijuana Enforcement Team, responded and recovered marijuana, concentrated cannabis, and firearms.
Detectives noted neither of the parents exhibited any signs of being under the influence. No arrests were made, and the final reports will be forwarded to the District Attorney for review.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information, or anyone who witnessed the incident, is asked to contact Detective Eric Ogaz, Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail at (909)387-3589. Callers can remain anonymous and contact WeTip at 800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com.
Refer: Detective Eric Ogaz or Sergeant Joe Steers
Station: Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail
Phone No. (909)387-3589
Case No. DR#222101781 H#2021-073
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
Address/Location
SBSD - Headquarters
655 E 3rd St
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 909-387-3700