SAN JOSE — On Saturday, January 16, 2016, at 9:41 AM, San Jose police officers responded to the 300 block of El Cajon Dr. in San Jose on a report of a possible dead child. The 2 year-old male child was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
The Santa Clara County Child Death Protocol was activated and the following personnel responded to the scene: SJPD Homicide Unit; Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney, Investigator, Coroner, and Child Protective Services.
Initial observations indicated the child had died as a result of a homicide and had been sexually assaulted which was confirmed by an autopsy. Homicide detectives and Crime Scene investigators conducted an extensive investigation.
On January 25, 2016, Homicide detectives determined suspect, 22-year-old Manuel Lopez, the victim’s mother’s boyfriend, was responsible for the death and sexual assault of the child.
A warrant was obtained and suspect Lopez was arrested on January 26, 2016, in San Jose.
Suspect Lopez was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail for murder and child molest.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Pat Guire or Detective Ken Tran of the San Jose Police Department’s Homicide Unit at 408-277-5283.
