Phelan Toddler Dies After Being Struck By Horse In Family's Corral

PHELAN (CBSLA.com) — Sheriff's deputies are investigating the death of a toddler killed by a horse in San Bernardino County Monday.

Armando Rodriguez, 2, was fatally struck by the animal around 8:15 p.m. at his family's home in the 11500 block of Barbet Road in Phelan, the Coroner said.

Jorge Rodriguez, the boy's step-uncle and the owner of the horses on the property, told CBS2's Jeff Nguyen his mother and the boy's mother tried to give Armando CPR while waiting for paramedics to arrive.

Authorities say the child was transported to Desert Valley Hospital, where he was pronounced dead Monday evening.

Rodriguez said the family believes Armando wandered into the corral while playing with the family's dogs, and said the boy's mother found her son passed out in the backyard after going inside to get him a glass of water.

"The dogs must have riled up the horse and he might have kicked him or he might have gotten stepped on but right now we don't know the actual facts yet," Rodriguez said, adding that bruising was found on the child's ribcage in the shape of a hoof.

He also said that the horses have never displayed signs of aggression.

"They are not aggressive at all. I've had them for 12 years. You can walk up to them, you can walk in the corral," he said.

The San Bernardino Sheriff's Department is investigating the case.

Authorities are awaiting the results of an autopsy that will determine the cause of death.