Father charged with murdering his 2-year old daughter

Posted: Feb 20, 2013 5:48 PM by Connie Tran, KSBY News
Updated: Feb 21, 2013 5:24 AM

Man charged with murder after toddler's death in Paso Robles

A Paso Robles father is in jail, facing charges of murder and assault resulting in death of a child, against his two-year old daughter. The Paso Robles Police Department said 29-year old Herbert Brown III, was arrested on Monday night at the Atascadero hospital where the toddler was being treated. Investigators said his story did not add up with the injuries found on the little girl.

On Monday morning, police alongside the Paso Robles Fire Department, were dispatched to a house on the 200 block of Santa Ysabel Avenue regarding a two-year old not breathing. When law enforcement arrived, they found visible head and body injuries on the child. Police say the little girl died from her injuries on Tuesday night at approximately 10pm at a bay area hospital.

Tracy Schiro, assistant director for San Luis Obispo County Social Services, said the two-year old was transferred to a hospital in the bay area because it was one that could specifically meet the needs from the injuries she suffered.

Paso Robles Police Acting Chief Robert Burton said cops had been called to Brown's house before, but on a completely unrelated matter. Neighbors tell KSBY the Brown family was relatively new to the street, and they never suspected anything fishy.

Neighbor Tracy Wright said when she heard a little girl had been allegedly abused in a house just a few doors down from where she lives, she said she became sick to her stomach.

She said, "I hate that it's so close to home."

Wright said she's lived on Santa Ysabel for decades, and she's never seen the Brown family, but that children play on the street all the time.

"We've seen some things, but nothing ever to that extent to where, I don't even want to look down there. I mean, it just breaks my heart," said Wright.

Schiro said child abuse is not common in San Luis Obispo County, and this case has tugged at everyone's heart in the office.

She said, "I think that child abuse is something that should shake all of us and not be permitted. And that we should be doing all we can so that families are stable and able to take care of their children."

Paso Robles PD could not be specific about the abuse that the two-year old suffered, only saying there were injuries all over her body. Acting Chief Burton said he believed the child was living primarily with Brown, while her mother has been living somewhere in the Los Angeles area.

"My heart goes out to the family. It's devastating, it really is," said Wright.

SLO County Social Services said they urge the community to report cases of child abuse. You can make an an anonymous report at (805)781-1700.