Homicide investigators have arrested a second person in the death of an Alpine toddler whose fatal injuries were initially blamed on a fall. That person is the little boy’s mother.
At only 19 months old, Lucas Orlando, died Jan. 13 of multiple skull fractures, the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office determined following an autopsy.
The little boy had also suffered a broken arm and leg, which were mending on their own, investigators said.
As the boy’s caregiver faces charges of murder, deputies announced they have arrested Orlando’s mother, Renee Fournier, 28, on charges of felony child endangerment.
Fournier was booked Tuesday into Las Colinas Detention Facility in San Diego’s East County on $100,000 bail. Her first court appearance is set for Thursday.
Fournier’s boyfriend, U.S. Navy corpsman Brett Brown, was arrested Jan. 14 in connection with the boy’s death and is being held at San Diego Central Jail without bail.
Brown, 29, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and assault on a child with force likely causing death.
Sheriff’s deputies responded on Jan. 11 to the Alpine Oaks condominium complex on Arnold Way, where they were told Lucas had fallen.
Deputies began CPR on the boy before paramedics arrived and rushed him to the hospital. He died two days later. The medical examiner later determined Lucas’ cause of death to be blunt force trauma. His death was ruled a homicide.
Brown is a corpsman attached to the Naval Medical Center San Diego. His next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 29.
Following Fournier’s arrest, neighbors told NBC 7 they deeply regret not being to help Lucas before it came to this. Many are outraged the boy had to lose his life.
At the Alpine condominium complex, flowers, children’s toys and a single candle burned Tuesday night at a makeshift memorial dedicated to the little boy.
“It was pitiful. I can’t believe I live so close but nobody heard anything,” neighbor Linda Thorman said, asking not to be shown on camera.
“I wanted to believe [the mother] didn’t have anything to do with it, but who doesn’t?” she added.
Neighbor Emily Sisco said she’s also shocked by the case, and by Brown’s alleged involvement in the boy’s abuse.
“When you carry that title of being in the service, you’re supposed to carry yourself with respect,” Sisco told NBC 7.
Off camera, another neighbor who lives about 150 feet away from the couple’s condo said he sometimes heard Brown screaming at Fournier.
The couple was not well-known among their neighbors. They knew even less about Lucas’ short life, but his death won’t soon be forgotten.
Many residents want justice for the boy and want this case to serve as a reminder to pay attention to potential signs of abuse.
“It's important that it gets a lot of attention so that people are aware of it happening and people can make sure it stops,” Jenny Ramsey said.
“I just hope he can rest in peace and someone is held accountable,” Sisco added.
