Stepfather Jailed in Girl’s Death
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VAN NUYS — Police arrested a 33-year-old man Friday for allegedly abusing his 4-year-old stepdaughter so badly that she went into cardiac arrest and died.
Robert Cauchi drove his stepdaughter, Christine Rodriguez, from his Van Nuys home to Childrens Hospital about midnight after she went into cardiac arrest Thursday night, said Detective George Martenez. When doctors examined the girl they found bruises on her arms and torso, as well as internal injuries, suggesting she had been abused, Martenez said.
Christine Rodriguez died about 11 a.m. Friday, a coroner’s spokesman said.
Roberto Cauchi was arrested at the Van Nuys police station, and the case is still under investigation, Martenez said.
Martenez said Cauchi and his wife, Lorena, have another child, an infant girl.
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