South Gate Man Pleads Not Guilty To Fatally Beating 9-Month-Old Daughter
DOWNEY (CBS) — A South Gate man who allegedly beat his 9-month-old daughter to death last month pleaded not guilty Tuesday to murder and other charges.
Jose Tulio Deras, 20, is charged with one count each of murder and assault on a child causing death for the Jan. 15 slaying of his daughter, Valerie.
In connection with an alleged assault on his wife, Deras is charged with one count of sodomy by use of force, with allegations that he used a knife and tied and bound his wife before he fled to Mexico.
Deras was detained Jan. 17 in Mexico City and flown two days later from Mexico City to Los Angeles International Airport, where he was turned over to Customs and Border Protection officers, U.S. Marshals and Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies.
If convicted, he could face up to 50 years to life in state prison, according to the District Attorney's Office.
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