FLORENCE, WI – Authorities in northern Wisconsin say a two-year-old boy’s death has led to charges against both his father and grandfather, who are now behind bars and under intense scrutiny.
Investigators allege that James VanderLeest, 21, is responsible for the death of his young son, Leo Escalante, earlier this month. Prosecutors contend that after the child died, VanderLeest tried to shift blame onto his own father, David VanderLeest, 48, and also recruited him to help avoid arrest.
Leo Escalante was pronounced dead after his father reported the child fell down a set of stairs while being watched by his grandfather. But an autopsy revealed the boy’s injuries were inconsistent with a fall and resulted from what examiners called “an acute incident.”
Law enforcement searched for James VanderLeest for several hours, eventually finding him with his father at a relative’s cabin after the pair refused to exit a residence for 20 minutes, police said. Officers ultimately used a flash device to gain entry.
Florence County officials say James VanderLeest is expected to be formally charged with multiple felonies connected to his son’s death. His father, David VanderLeest, also faces charges for allegedly aiding his son’s attempt to evade authorities.
In court, David VanderLeest argued he only sought to prevent his son from harming himself, not to interfere with the police inquiry. He asserted that he never tried to cover up the incident or help his son escape.
Prosecutors pushed back on those claims, stating that both father and son “barricaded themselves” in the house to avoid law enforcement. They maintain David was present when the child died and accuse him of misleading authorities.
Court records reveal that James VanderLeest has a troubled legal history with at least four open cases in Brown County, including charges for battery, strangulation, suffocation, property damage, and violating bail.
Leo’s mother previously obtained a protective order against James VanderLeest, citing safety concerns. Investigators report that James initially tried to get her to state that his father was with Leo at the time of the boy’s fatal injuries.
During an emotional court appearance, the bond for James VanderLeest was set at $2 million, while his father’s bail was set at $100,000. Both men’s next court dates are scheduled for mid-July.
Family members expressed anguish over Leo’s death and frustration at the events that allowed James VanderLeest to flee, even briefly. “My nephew doesn’t get to run on this Earth again,” said Keri Tucker, an aunt on Leo’s maternal side.
The case remains under investigation, with additional charges expected as authorities continue to examine the circumstances leading to the tragedy.