Stephen Ellison

Murder Charges For Suspect in East Palo Alto Toddler Death

A 2-year-old girl died from blunt force trauma; mother's live-in boyfriend suspected

A 2-year-old girl who died last month in East Palo Alto, allegedly at the hands of her mother's boyfriend, suffered blunt force trauma injuries, according to San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.

The incident occurred on Nov. 27 when emergency crews responded to a report of a toddler who was in distress and having trouble breathing at an apartment at 320 E. O'Keefe St., police said.

The girl was taken to a hospital where she died a short while later. Her name has not yet been released.

Because the girl's injuries were not immediately apparent and she had no known medical history, investigators treated the death as suspicious, according to police.

After an autopsy revealed evidence of foul play, officers

identified the alleged culprit as Adair Jeru Enriquez Zevallos, the live-in boyfriend of the girl's mother. He was arrested last Tuesday on suspicion of murder, police said.

Zevallos appeared in San Mateo County Superior Court Monday for his arraignment, where he was charged with murder and assault on a child causing death. He remains in custody with no bail set, Wagstaffe said.

Zevallos is set to appear in court again on Dec. 13, when he's expected to enter a plea, Wagstaffe said.

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