Lucerne Valley Man Arrested For Murder In Death Of 2-Year-Old Boy

LUCERNE VALLEY (CBS) — A 19-year-old man was arrested Friday on suspicion of murdering his girlfriend's 2-year-old son.

Ceasar Vasquez, of Lucerne Valley, was taken into custody after deputies found him hiding in the desert with what appeared to be a self-inflicted wound to his neck, according to San Bernardino Sheriff's officials. Deputies had been called to a home in the 9200 block of Anza Trail regarding a 2-year-old boy who had been assaulted and was not breathing.

The boy, later identified as Damian Negrete of Lucerne Valley, was taken to Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center by ambulance, then air lifted to Loma Linda University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Detectives say Vasquez was identified as the boyfriend of the child's mother. Investigators believe Vasquez is responsible for the injuries Damian suffered.

Vasquez was treated for his injuries at Desert Valley Hospital and later arrested for murder.