Stepfather Beats Toddler to Death in Cancun

Cancun, Quintana Roo — A 20-month-old boy was beaten to death in Cancun on Saturday night, and his stepfather has been arrested as the primary suspect, authorities said.

The victim was identified as Eduardo Meza Guzmán. He was in the care of his stepfather, Misael Padrón Acevedo, 46, while the boy’s mother, Carla Meza Guzmán, 21, was working at a laundromat on Avenida Ruta 4, also known as Francisco I. Madero Street, according to reports.

Initial reports indicated that Padrón may have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the incident.

Around 10 p.m. Saturday, Padrón left the home in the Supermanzana 74 neighborhood to pick up his partner. He told her he had left the child sleeping and covered with a sheet. About two hours later, the mother and stepfather returned to the residence.

When the mother checked on her son, the boy did not respond. She called 911 for an ambulance. Paramedics arrived minutes later and confirmed the toddler had no vital signs.

The mother told municipal police and agents from the Quintana Roo State Prosecutor’s Office that when she left for work, the child was alive and showed no visible signs of injury.

Paramedics, however, found bruises on the boy’s legs, back, chest, and face. They also noted signs of strangulation, which may be the cause of death.

Padrón claimed he was watching a soccer game and left the child alone for a couple of hours because the person who usually cared for him did not show up. He accused that person of causing the injuries.

But based on the mother’s statement that the child had no injuries in the morning, Padrón was arrested as the main suspect in the toddler’s murder.

The boy’s body was taken to the forensic medical service (Semefo). Padrón has been turned over to authorities to face charges.