Mother Charged in Connection With Death of Toddler Found Buried in Connecticut Park

Police in Connecticut have arrested the mother of the 2-year-old boy found buried in a Stamford Park in early January.

Iris Rivera-Santos, 29, has been charged with risk of injury to a minor, hindering prosecution, tampering with evidence, and cruelty to persons, all related to the investigation into the death of Liam Rivera. the Stamford Police Department said.

Rivera-Santos is being held on a $1 million bond.

Liam’s body was found on January 2, wrapped in a plastic bag and buried in Cummings Park. An autopsy determined his death was homicide caused by blunt force injuries to the head.

The toddler’s father, 26-year-old Edgar Ismalej-Gomez, is also under investigation related to the death. He was arrested the day after the boy’s body was found for violating probation and is being held on a $3 million bond, WNYW reports. He could face additional charges, police said.

According to News 12 CT, Ismalej-Gomez had served time for a previous incident abusing the boy. At his arraignment earlier on January 3, Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Michelle Manning said the defendant went “into the child’s room, and the child ended up deceased.”

“The defendant would not let the mother of the child call for an ambulance. He placed the child in a bag and buried the child at Cummings Park. That grave was found yesterday,” Manning said.

Manning also told the court that Rivera-Santos told investigators Ismalej-Gomez held her at gunpoint for four days after the toddler’s death, even taking her to West Virginia and back.

“She was able to leave yesterday, purchase a phone, and call her attorney, who facilitated the police involvement,” Manning told the judge.

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[Featured image: Liam Rivera/handout]