San Bernardino family allegedly tortured by father

SAN BERNARDINO — A man suspected of killing his 16-year-old son and torturing his wife and four other children was arrested by San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies on Wednesday.

Investigators are continuing to investigate the death of Richard Roderiquez, who sheriff’s deputies say was stabbed to death by his father, 35-year-old Ian Anthony Roderiquez.

Ian Anthony Roderiquez reportedly tortured his four other children and wife Sujal, 35, who sustained severe injuries and was listed in critical condition.

Also found injured at the house were Jacob Roderiquez, 13, and younger siblings Gabriel, 12, Daniella, 10, and Yasmine, 9. Officials would not disclose the nature of the children’s injuries. Two were admitted to Loma Linda University Medical Center, according to a hospital spokesperson, and two others were treated and released to Children and Family Services.

Sheriff’s spokeswoman Jodi Miller said the father was booked at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. The charges include one count of murder, five counts of attempted murder and six counts of torture, she said.

Though Richard Roderiquez died from stab wounds, deputies did not disclose the weapon Roderiquez allegedly used in the crime.

Deputies arrived at a residence on the 6700 block of Merito Avenue in response to a 911 call at 9:15 a.m. March 23 describing a man yelling for help. The arriving officers discovered Ian Anthony Roderiquez’s five children suffering from major injuries. Paramedics pronounced Richard Roderiquez dead at the scene.

Miller said that Ian Anthony Roderiquez first talked to deputies through a front window. After a few minutes, deputies coaxed him outside for questioning. They searched the house and discovered the remaining members of the family. He was led away in handcuffs from his front door.

Detectives are still unsure why Roderiquez attacked his family, said Miller.

“It’s still early in the investigation process,” she said. “They’re still trying to determine what happened.”

The exact cause of injuries is still unknown, she said.

Miller disclosed that it was a neighbor that called deputies to the home, having heard yelling from the Roderiquez home as early as 7 a.m. The children, students at various campuses in San Bernardino, were on spring break.