2024-01-09 20:57:00
LIVINGSTON PARISH, La. (WAFB) – Authorities are investigating the death of a 5-year-old boy that allegedly resulted from the child being beaten in Livingston Parish.
Leonardo “Leo” Eslinger was transported to Children’s Hospital in New Orleans on December 28, 2023 and died three days later, relatives said.
The boy’s grandmother, who lives in Indiana, says she received a phone call from a Louisiana DCFS worker telling her the child was on life support. She flew to New Orleans to be with the child who she says had severe injuries including a brain bleed, cuts and burn marks.
His obituary describes the boy as a child who loved to laugh and “especially loved Chase from Paw Patrol.”
The boy was born in Evansville, Indiana, but had been living in Albany, Louisiana, according to WFIE-TV.
WFIE-TV reported the injured boy was airlifted from Albany to Children’s Hospital in New Orleans where he later died.
The station reports two people have been arrested in the case, including the boy’s 26-year-old father, Joseph Eslinger and the father’s girlfriend, identified as Diana Lopez. She is also 26-years-old.
Joseph Eslinger and Diana Lopez(Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office)
Livingston Parish Detention Center records show both were arrested on December 28, and charged with Cruelty to a Juvenile with Major Injuries. They remain incarcerated.
An officer with the Albany Police Department told WFIE-TV the department was not releasing details on the investigation at this time, the station reported.
District Attorney Scott Perrilloux, reached by phone Tuesday afternoon, said his office is aware of the case and will work with the Albany Police Department to review the facts to determine if the criminal charges should be upgraded or otherwise altered.
The Livingston Parish Coroner’s Office is conducting the autopsy on the child. That agency’s chief investigator said Tuesday the autopsy will take quite some time to complete, indicating the process could take a month or more.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for Leo Eslinger. Click here for the details.
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