Newly released court documents reveal disturbing details in the case of a 3-year-old Taft girl, who Sheriff's Deputies say was tortured to death by her mother's live-in boyfriend.
Detectives say the girl was beaten, scalded, and slammed into a coffee table by 26-year-old Eric Foster. In court documents, detectives say Foster admitted to intentionally abusing the little girl three separate times, over a four-week period.
Graphic details describe what led up to Trinity Hanna's death at San Joaquin Community Hospital Tuesday night.
Court documents released Friday say medical staff called the Sheriff's Department after discovering Trinity had numerous bruises on her head, face, arms, torso, back, and legs. Detectives say she also had healing second degree burns on her back and severe swelling and discoloration to her vagina and inner thighs.
After being advised of his Miranda rights, deputies say Foster confessed to intentionally burning Trinity's back with hot water, slamming her down on a bicycle seat causing injury to her vagina and intentionally causing the girl to fall and strike her head on a coffee table. Deputies say the abuse took place during three separate incidents over a period of a month.
Foster's brother told 17 News he can't wrap his mind around what his brother is accused of doing. "Unthinkable, unthinkable. Just like why? I don't know what he was thinking," said Anthony Luna, Eric Foster's brother.
"Unthinkable" is the only word Anthony Luna could come up with when 17 News asked him what goes through his mind, when he thinks about what happened to Trinity.
"I would never say that my brother was capable of just outright killing my baby. There's no way. There's no way," continued Luna.
Luna says his brother became hooked on methamphetamine six years ago, and it was a habit that didn't mix well with his short temper.
"He had been in fights before with other girlfriends and stuff. He needed some help, he needed help. I didn't want his life to be the way it was. I guess he did and now he's paying for it," said Luna.
Foster pleaded not guilty in court Friday afternoon, to first degree murder, child abuse, and torture charges.
The Sheriff's Department said at this point, the girl's mother, Angela Vickrey, is not considered a suspect. Deputies say she has been cooperative in providing information to detectives.
