A Bakersfield father was arrested in connection with the death of his 2-month-old baby. The Sheriff's Department says the man and his girlfriend neglected the infant who was found dead in her bed.
After 17 News received a wanted poster from the Sheriff's Department asking for the public's help in finding Richard Garcia, we went out to the neighborhood where he lives. 17 News found Garcia at home and asked him about the charges of child endangerment he faces.
Garcia says he's innocent and didn't hurt his baby.
“I don't feel that I’m a neglectful parent. I have four kids. I have one that will be nine. I practically took care of him 'til he was seven, by myself. No CPS reports, no nothing,” Garcia said.
Garcia did admit since his three other children were born, CPS has come out to his home three times because of complaints from his neighbors. Garcia would not say what kinds of things his neighbors complained about.
Shortly after our interview, a Sheriff's Deputy came out and arrested Garcia. Authorities say they were called out to Garcia's home four months ago and found his 2-month-old baby had died.
“She was asleep with her mother in the bed and I came and checked on her the next morning and she wasn't breathing, that’s all. There is nothing else to explain, she was just gone,” Garcia said.
But the Sheriff's Department says its investigation shows Garcia and his girlfriend did not properly care for the baby because they were on drugs. While Garcia tells me he was on drugs when the baby died, he says he and his girlfriend did not neglect their child.
“I am not mad. I just am frustrated about the allegations and I just gotta stay strong and do what's right,” Garcia said.
Garcia says the mother turned herself in for the charges last week.
Garcia also says the baby was already sick and had tumors on her liver. But the Corner's Office says the baby's cause of death is related to an unsafe sleep environment.
