VICTORVILLE – Law enforcement officials are still awaiting the outcome of an autopsy in the death of an 11-month-old girl, who died on Monday, June 15, two days after emergency personnel were summoned to her home.
The baby, Ava Costello, was not breathing when medical personnel arrived at the home on the 16200 block of Midway Street. According to reports, two people were attempting CPR when personnel arrived.
The infant was resuscitated, but listed in critical condition and airlifted to Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital – about 45 miles away. Upon first evaluating the infant at Victor Valley Hospital, deputies were advised by medical personnel that the injuries were consistent with physical abuse. The baby was confirmed to be suffering from severe brain injury, “not likely to survive the injuries,” according to reports.
Investigators determined that Rodger Christopher Negrette, 35, an acquaintance of the baby’s family, had been caring for the child. They discovered that Negrette had physically assaulted the child, causing the severe injuries.
On June 14, one day after the child was taken to the hospital, Negrette was arrested at 12:30 a.m. He was booked at the San Bernardino County Central Detention Center on charges of assaulting a child under eight years of age, likely to produce great bodily injury or death. The bail amount was $500,000. Later that day, at 2:51 p.m., the baby died.
One day later, Negrette was booked for homicide and taken to West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga, where he is being held for $1 million bail. He will appear at Victorville Superior Court on June 24.
