A tragic case from Wisconsin has unfolded, where a father is accused of killing his 2-year-old son and then trying to shift the blame onto his own father, even going so far as to seek his help in evading arrest.
The story centers on James VanderLeest, 21, who allegedly caused the death of his young son, Leo Escalante, on June 22, 2024. After the child’s death, James reportedly concocted a false story about the child falling down a flight of stairs while under his father’s watch.
This horrific event has raised serious questions about family dynamics and the lengths to which individuals may go to avoid responsibility for their actions.
The Incident and the False Story
According to police, James VanderLeest initially claimed that his son, Leo, fell down a flight of stairs while under the supervision of James’ father, David VanderLeest, 48.
However, the results of an autopsy contradicted James’ story, revealing that Leo’s cause of death was the result of an “acute incident” rather than a fall. This revelation raised suspicion about James’ involvement in the child’s death and led to further investigation.
In the aftermath, police allege that James attempted to cover up his actions by involving his father, David, in evading capture. James reportedly fled with his father to a relative’s cabin, where they hid while law enforcement searched for them.
David VanderLeest later claimed that he was only trying to prevent his son from committing suicide and did not intend to obstruct the police investigation. However, the authorities believe that both men actively worked to avoid arrest and hinder the investigation.
The Legal Consequences
James VanderLeest is expected to face multiple felony charges related to the death of his son, including charges for murder and possibly other related crimes. His bail has been set at $2 million. His father, David, is also facing charges for allegedly assisting James in fleeing and hiding. David’s bail has been set at $100,000.
Both James and David appeared in court, where tensions ran high. David VanderLeest insisted that he was never at his son’s house when Leo suffered the fatal injuries, which contradicts the police’s version of events. The court proceedings have revealed conflicting accounts and deep family turmoil, adding to the complexity of the case.
A Family Torn Apart
The tragedy has deeply affected both families, with the victim’s extended family speaking out about the impact of Leo’s death. Keri Tucker, the aunt of Leo’s mother, expressed her grief, stating, “Because of him being able to run for his life to a cabin in the woods with his dad, my nephew doesn’t get to run on this Earth again.”
This heartbreaking statement reflects the pain and frustration felt by the victim’s relatives, who believe that justice must be served for the senseless loss of a young child.
In addition to the charges related to his son’s death, James VanderLeest has a history of legal troubles, including multiple open cases involving charges of strangulation, suffocation, battery, and other criminal offenses. His past behavior and the disturbing events surrounding Leo’s death have led to a growing sense of urgency to hold him accountable for his actions.
The tragic death of 2-year-old Leo Escalante has left a family devastated and raised serious concerns about James VanderLeest’s actions. His alleged attempt to involve his father in evading arrest and shifting the blame highlights a deep dysfunction within the family.
As James faces serious charges and David is also implicated in helping him hide, the case underscores the lengths some individuals will go to avoid responsibility for horrific acts. As both men await their court hearings, the family of Leo Escalante continues to mourn the loss of a young life taken far too soon.
