A Minnesota man was charged this week with the murder a 14-month-old girl earlier this summer.
Erik Adrian Blanco, 40, was charged with second degree murder in the death of Riverlynn VanNorman on July 6, according to a statement from the Little Falls Police Department.
Police said the little girl’s mother, Blanco’s girlfriend, called 911 and reported that her daughter was unresponsive. First responders took her to St. Gabriel’s Hospital in Little Falls, where she was pronounced dead.
A preliminary autopsy said that the girl died from multiple head and neck injuries consistent with homicidal violence.
Investigators said that Riverlynn and her mother had been temporarily staying at Blanco’s home, and that on the day of the 911 call, the mother had left Blanco to care for the girl while she was away.
According to Newsweek, the girl’s mother called 911 and told a dispatcher that the toddler was “choking on vomit and not breathing,” court documents said. The documents also said that officers saw bruises on her face and marks on her neck.
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“After an exhaustive and thorough investigation in to this case, investigators have arrested Erik Blanco in connection with this heartbreaking tragedy,” said Little Falls Police Chier Greg Schirmers. “This case has deeply affected our community and our thoughts and condolences go out to Riverlynn’s family during this unimaginably difficult time.”
Blanco is being held on a $1 million bond, according to court records.
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[Featured image: Erik Blanco/Morrison County Sheriff’s Office]
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