OXNARD : Death of Boy, 2 1/2, Under Investigation

An investigation has been launched into the death of a 2 1/2-year-old Oxnard boy.

Ventura County Deputy Coroner Jim Wingate said Rene Ambriz, son of Jose Ambriz and Virginia Cervantes, died Tuesday night of a head injury.

“It’s being investigated as a child abuse death,� Wingate said.

Oxnard police are investigating because of the suspicious nature of the injuries, they said. Sgt. Denny Phillips said an autopsy revealed that the youngster had previously suffered a broken leg that had not been set and a severe burn that ran from his jaw to his belt line.

“It was as if some type of hot liquid had been poured, dumped or spilled onto the child,� Phillips said. “The parents’ version is that it resulted from water in a shower.�

The parents told police that their son broke his leg about a month ago when he became entangled on a park slide. They had never sought a doctor’s care for the leg, Phillips said.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Lela M. Henke-Dobroth, in charge of child abuse cases, said she is handling the case.

“I’ve been working with the Oxnard police and the coroner’s office,� Henke-Dobroth said. “However, there are a lot of people who still need to be interviewed.�

Police were notified of possible child abuse after the toddler was admitted to St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard on Monday. The boy’s mother had called for medical assistance when her son stopped breathing at his Oxnard home.

The youngster was placed on a life-support system but died Tuesday night.