FLORENCE, WI – A 21-year-old Wisconsin man is accused of killing his 2-year-old son and enlisting his father’s help to both avoid police and shift responsibility for the child’s death, according to prosecutors and court records.
Authorities said James VanderLeest initially told investigators that his son, Leo Escalante, died in late June after falling down a staircase while being watched by the boy’s grandfather, David VanderLeest, 48. However, a medical examination found the child’s death to be caused by an unspecified “acute incident,” contradicting the father’s version of events.
Neither James nor David VanderLeest has been formally charged in Florence County, but both face anticipated felony counts linked to the death and the subsequent attempts to hinder the investigation, officials said. James VanderLeest is being held on $2 million bail, while his father’s bond is set at $100,000.
Prosecutors allege that after the 2-year-old’s death, the younger VanderLeest tried to hide out in a relative’s remote cabin with help from his father. Law enforcement said father and son barricaded themselves inside a house for about 20 minutes and refused to come out until a flash-bang device was deployed.
Deputy District Attorney Wendy Lemkuil said in court the older VanderLeest’s actions directly interfered with authorities seeking answers about the child’s death.
David VanderLeest, who maintains he was not present at his son’s home when the fatal incident occurred, disputed the prosecutors’ timeline in court. He told the judge his written statement did not place him at the scene and accused officials of misrepresenting his actions.
He also stated he was not attempting to help his son evade police, but rather intervened out of concern over James’ suicidal behavior after the child’s death. “My child was very suicidal. I went and found him to make sure I didn’t find him hanging from a tree,” he testified.
Court documents show James VanderLeest has faced previous charges in Brown County, including domestic abuse, battery, strangulation, disorderly conduct, and bail jumping. A restraining order had also been issued against him on behalf of Leo’s mother.
Prosecutors allege that James instructed Leo’s mother to tell authorities that the grandfather, David, was with the child at the time of the incident, in an apparent effort to redirect blame.
Relatives of Leo Escalante’s mother expressed outrage following the arrests. Keri Tucker, the boy’s great-aunt, told the court that the efforts to hide after Leo’s death robbed the family of closure.
James VanderLeest is scheduled to return to court on July 16, followed by his father’s appearance the next day. Investigators continue to collect evidence and clarify the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.