Prosecutor: Mom's boyfriend threw 21-month-old Raiylana Vasquez across the room, then stomped on her stomach

Jeff Mayes — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 13:20:11 -0600

By RUMMANA HUSSAIN
Chicago Sun-Times

Uriel Vega | Chicago Police

A Back of the Yards man was ordered held without bond Thursday for beating his girlfriend’s 21-month-old baby, Raiylana Vasquez, to death on Tuesday, according to prosecutors.

While baby-sitting Raiylana, 22-year-old Uriel Vega pulled the infant off the couch, threw her across the kitchen and into a bedroom, and then stomped on her stomach, Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney Jullian Brevard said in court. Vega is charged with first-degree murder.

Raiylana was having trouble breathing and her eyes rolled back after the attack in the the 4700 block of South Honore, Brevard said.

Vega called the girl’s mother to tell her the baby was not breathing, then ran downstairs to tell a neighbor, Brevard said. The neighbor saw the unresponsive child and Vega called 911.

Raiylana Vasquez | Facebook

The toddler was taken to Holy Cross Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 12:18 p.m. that day, according to the medical examiner’s office.

An autopsy Wednesday found Raiylana died of trauma to the abdomen. She also had a severed pancreas, lacerated liver, severed arteries and several bruises on her abdomen and cheek, Brevard said.

Vega allegedly admitted to detectives that he hit, pushed and stepped on Raiylana.

Cook County Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr. told Vega in court, “You are a danger.”

The state Department of Children and Family Services is investigating allegations of abuse and neglect, according to a spokeswoman.

DCFS has had prior contact with the baby’s mother, according to the spokeswoman. Two investigations, one in September 2015 and one in August 2016, proved unfounded. The mother was indicated for neglect in February 2016.

There are three siblings in the family who do not live with the mother, but with another family member who has custody, according to DCFS.

Back of the Yards man charged with fatally beating Raiylana Vasquez, his girlfriend's 21-month-old daughter

Jeff Mayes — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 13:53:38 -0600

By JORDAN OWEN
Chicago Sun-Times Wire

Uriel Vega | Chicago Police

A man has been charged with beating Raiylana Vasquez, his girlfriend's 21-month-old baby, to death Tuesday morning in their Back of the Yards neighborhood home.

Uriel Vega, 22, faces one count of first-degree murder for the death of Raiylana, according to Chicago Police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office. He was responsible for taking care of the child at the time of her death.

Officers responded at 11:22 a.m. to the 4700 block of South Honore and found Raiylana unresponsive, authorities said. She had suffered “obvious” signs of trauma.

The toddler was taken to Holy Cross Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 12:18 p.m., according to the medical examiner’s office. An autopsy Wednesday found she died of multiple injuries due to child abuse, and her death was ruled a homicide.

Raiylana Vasquez | Facebook

Police said the investigation revealed that the girl died from blunt force trauma caused by Vega, who lives with the child and her mother. He was scheduled to appear in bond court Thursday.

A GoFundMe page has been established to help cover funeral costs.

The state Department of Children and Family Services is investigating him for allegations of abuse and neglect, according to a spokeswoman.

There are three siblings in the family who do not live with the mother, but with another family member who has custody, according to DCFS.

Uriel Vega | Homicide Watch Chicago

Prosecutor: Mom's boyfriend threw 21-month-old Raiylana Vasquez across the room, then stomped on her stomach

Back of the Yards man charged with fatally beating Raiylana Vasquez, his girlfriend's 21-month-old daughter