Adrian Soto, a boy aged 1 year 11 months and 25 days, was fatally injured on June 12, 2023, at a home on Morton Way in the Bay Terraces neighborhood of San Diego. Police were called at approximately 2:40 p.m. after the child was found not breathing. Officers and paramedics provided medical aid and transported him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries, especially to the head, and the manner was ruled homicide. Investigators determined the child had sustained serious traumatic internal injuries indicative of physical child abuse. The mother's boyfriend, 20-year-old McArvin Caringal-Sanchez, was identified as the person responsible for the injuries and was arrested and booked on suspicion of murder.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The public records document (CA_23_450.pdf) lists the cause of death as "Multiple blunt force injuries, especially head." The San Diego Union Tribune article states the child "had sustained serious traumatic internal injuries that were indicative of physical child abuse." The Fox 5 article similarly states "the child had suffered serious traumatic internal injuries that indicated physical child abuse." These describe inflicted injuries in the context of a homicide.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
The public records document (CA_23_450.pdf) lists the cause of death as "Multiple blunt force injuries, especially head." While the specific term "abusive head trauma" is not used, the emphasis on head injuries in the context of a child abuse homicide strongly implies abusive head trauma.
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
The San Diego Union Tribune article states: "Investigators later determined the boyfriend of the boy's mother caused the injuries." The Fox 5 article identifies the suspect as "20-year-old McArvin Caringal-Sanchez" who "was in a dating relationship with the child's mother." He was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
Both news articles report that McArvin Caringal-Sanchez, 20, was arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of murder. The San Diego Union Tribune states: "McArvin Caringal-Sanchez, 20, was arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of murder." The Fox 5 article confirms: "Caringal-Sanchez was arrested and booked into the San Diego County Jail on suspicion of murder."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
There is a notable geographic discrepancy between the sources. The public records document (CA_23_450.pdf) lists the "City of Death" as "National City," while both news articles place the incident at a home on Morton Way in the Bay Terraces neighborhood of San Diego. This suggests the child may have been transported to a hospital in National City where he was pronounced dead, while the abuse occurred in San Diego. Additionally, the Fox 5 article notes the child abuse unit initially investigated before handing the case to homicide, indicating a procedural escalation as the severity of injuries became apparent.
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