Warrant: Modesto Toddler's Fatal Injury Came From Head Striking Tile Floor
MODESTO (CBS13) — The forensic pathologist says a 2-year-old's fatal injury came from his head striking the tile floor, according to an arrest warrant obtained by CBS13.
The arrest warrant says suspect Martin Martinez, who was watching Christopher Ripley at the time, said it was an accident. The pathologist's report contradicts his account.
READ: Martinez Arrest Warrant
Ripley died two days after the incident from a severe head injury inside his home on Pasadena Lane. Police say Martinez was the only one at home with Ripley at the time.
The warrant says daycare workers reported to police they documented three earlier serious injuries, all tied to the time Ripley started potty training.
One injury was a puncture wound to Christopher's bottom lip by his tooth cutting into it.
The incident that lead to his death happened on Sept. 30.
According to the arrest warrant, Martinez told detectives he was wrestling with Ripley when his head hit the floor, but told other versions of the story later. Neighbors say after the initial investigation, they continued to see Martinez at the home.
The police chief said Martinez was under investigation for Ripley's death, but did not believe the family was in any danger.
"There had been no indication that there would be any violence within that family," said Chief Galen Carroll.
The pathologist's report wasn't complete until last Thursday, days before Martinez's ex-girlfriend, Dr. Amanda Crews, and his mother, Anna Brown Romero, were found dead in a home, along with three children. Martinez is suspected in those deaths.
Romero is said to have strong ties to the Reno area, but according to Facebook posts, had been in the area to help Crews and Martinez with their 6-month-old baby Rachel.
Elizabeth Ripley, 6, was also found dead in the home. Her father shared a video, but didn't want to talk. Neighbors described her as a nice, talkative, normal little girl who would tell you about her whole life.
A 5-year-old child who has not been identified was also killed.
Modesto defense attorney Tai Bogan says he's surprised more wasn't done to protect Crews' other children.
"Child Protective Services can intervene with a judicial order and remove the children from the home if he was a suspect in the murder," he said.
Police say CPS was involved, but the chief did not reveal what they were instructed to do for the family.
Bogan says he's surprised Modesto Police had trouble finding a forensic specialist.
"There are forensic experts, for instance, a forensic pathologist that works directly for the county," he said.
Eight days after Ripley's death, his family moved to the Nob Hill home where nine months later, the rest of his family would be killed.
