SOPHIA ACOSTA - 3 yo (2011) - Exeter (E of Visalia; SE of Fresno) CA

Community Mourns Loss of Young Exeter Girl

The suspicious death of a young Exeter girl has now turned into a homicide investigation. Sophia Acosta, 3, died in Madera County late Wednesday night. She was found unconscious inside an Exeter apartment on Saturday afternoon, police said. Neighbor Sandy Reed says Acosta was the kind of girl that would simply melt your heart away. She first met her when Acosta's mother moved into the Exeter Apartments off Visalia Road.

"They basically kept to themselves. But when they did come out, they were very very beautiful kids," said Reed.

Flowers and candles now sit outside Acosta's home where, Reed says, officers found her unconscious in an upstairs room on Saturday. She was taken to Kaweah Delta Medical Center then later airlifted to Children's Hospital Central California, where she died just after 11pm Wednesday, police said.

Exeter Police Chief Cliff Bush told CBS47 that medical tests revealed that Acosta suffered internal injuries to her head. Investigators also found suspicious injuries that have prompted further tests, Bush said.

"This has touched all of us here. I mean we all have children her age, grandchildren her age. It's hard to look at her picture and her eyes and not see your own kids in there. I can promise that we're not going to leave any stone unturned, any person not talked to, any lead not investigated until we get this solved," said Bush.

Police have interviewed Acosta's mother and her boyfriend, who are both considered persons of interest, Bush said. No arrests have been made in the case, he added.

Acosta's younger sibling is now in child protective custody, Bush said. Reed says she feels for everyone who knew her young neighbor."I just hope justice is done because this baby did not deserve this," Reed said.

Bank of America confirmed to CBS47 that a memorial fund was set-up on Thursday to help Acosta's family with funeral expenses.

You can make donations at any Bank of America branch under "Sophia Acosta." The account number is 0888869510.

An autopsy on Acosta's body is scheduled for Monday, investigators said.

I never thought I would see my little hometown listed on this website. The article above was wrong on the county: She died in Tulare County, not Madera County.s

Exeter toddler's death raises questions
Written by
ERIC WOOMER
ewoomer@visalia.gannett.com

9:00 PM, May. 12, 2011|

A 3-year-old girl is dead and Exeter police aren't ruling out any suspects in what could
be the city's second homicide of the year, police said.

After five days of clinging to life, Sophia Acosta, 3, died at 11:05 p.m. Wednesday, police said.

The suspicious circumstances surrounding her death have jolted a multi-agency
response to help Exeter police arrest the person responsible, said Police Chief Cliff Bush.

"A death like this shocks the conscience. We all have children, grandchildren," Bush
said. "We won't stop, we won't rest, until we make an arrest."

Officers first arrived at an Exeter apartment complex in the 800 block of
West Visalia Road on Saturday afternoon. They found three people — Sophia's
mother, Erica Smith, the mother's boyfriend, Christopher Cheary, and a
neighbor, Karen Bibee — all trying to help the toddler, who lay naked and lifeless on
the apartment floor.

Emergency personnel were able to obtain a pulse and rushed Sophia to Kaweah Delta
Medical Center. A few hours later she was airlifted to Children's Hospital Central
California, located in Madera County, Bush said.

Sophia died in the hospital from internal brain hemorrhage and other injuries, police said.

"We are treating this as a homicide until it's proven otherwise," Bush said.

Saturday's visit by police was the third time they'd been called to the home in regards
to Sophia, Bush said. An incident report was taken once and two investigations
remain active, he said. Officers had also been called out to the apartment two other
times, for a domestic dispute and assault at the apartment, both unrelated to Sophia, police said.

Neighbors said they'd seen Tulare County Child Protective Services at the toddler's
home several times in the last year, though that could not be verified by CPS as of
Thursday. An 18-month-old girl was taken from the apartment by CPS after Saturday's
incident, according to Bibee, the neighbor.

Many of the residents at the complex were outside Thursday, some leaving items on
the doorstep and others remembering Sophia at a community playground located
near Erica Smith's apartment.

They all said they couldn't believe the little girl was gone.

"It hits home for any parent," said Hollie Warren. "She was the sweetest little girl."

Bibee, the neighbor who was in the apartment when Sophia was brought
downstairs after being placed in a cold bath, said she held Erica Smith, who
couldn't stop crying Saturday.

"You could hear [Smith] crying across the complex. Sophia's face was blue, her head
was swollen, it's not a good thing for any parent to go through," she said.

Porterville and Farmersville police departments are aiding with the
investigation, each lending a detective. Chief Bush said the Tulare County Sheriff's
Department is aiding with the use of its lab. Lab results — police would not be more
specific — aren't expected to be back until later next week.

The Exeter Police Department has one investigator, who is also working on this
case. The department is urging anyone with information to call Exeter police.

A knock on the door of the apartment — where neighbors left candles and other
items — went unanswered Thursday.

Neighbors say they'll always have good memories of "baby Sophia."

"The last time I saw her she was playing on the grass, sitting with her mom on a
blanket," Bibee said. "She told me she wanted to be a ballerina."

Pictures of Sophia and those presumed to be responsible for her death:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/In-Our-Hearts-Baby-Sophia/210542395644268?sk=photos

"She told me she
wanted to be a ballerina."

Thank you Dr Meg and Plaid for the info and pictures.

How absolutely awful that this beautiful little girl will never grow up, go to prom, get married, have children....
What a tragedy...
Little Sophia, you are in our hearts and prayers always...

Sophia lived in Tulare County and died in Madera county just as authorities and news have reported. Madera County is where Childrens Hospital is.

Dr.Meg wrote:I never thought I would see my little hometown listed on this website. The article above was wrong on the county: She died in Tulare County, not Madera County.s

Probe into Exeter girl's death continues

Visalia Times-Delta May 17, 2011

Police say they are closing in on an arrest in connection to the 3-year-old Exeter girl who died inside her family's apartment this month.

"The autopsy just confirmed what we'd already assumed," Exeter Police Chief Cliff Bush said. "But we aren't going to rush into this. We want to nail this case."

An autopsy report released Monday by the Tulare County Sheriff's Department showed blunt force trauma as the cause of Sophia Acosta's death.

Bush says the girl's mother, Erica Smith, and Smith's boyfriend, Christopher Cheary, remain in the city. He said the department isn't ruling out anyone as a suspect. Police are also looking into reports that Sophia may have been sexually assaulted some time prior to her head being hit, Bush said. A second search warrant was recently served at apartment No. 9 in a complex in the 800 block of West Visalia Road in Exeter. Police are trying to obtain as much evidence as possible because there are no witnesses, Bush said. The only people thought to be in the home at the time were Cheary, Sophia and an 18-month-old girl, who neighbors said was Sophia's sister. Smith is believed to have come home several hours later, police said.

Sophia was found on the afternoon of May 7. When officers and medical personnel arrived, they found three people — Smith, Cheary and a neighbor, Karen Bibee — all trying to help the toddler, who lay naked and lifeless on the apartment floor.

Emergency personnel were able to obtain a

pulse and rushed Sophia to Kaweah Delta Medical Center. A few hours later, she was flown to Children's Hospital Central California in Madera County, Bush said. She died five days later on May 11 of a brain hemorrhage.

"No child should die this way, it's not right," said neighbor Hollie Warren. "It hits home for any parent. She was the sweetest little girl."

Warren, Bibee and several neighbors have said Child Welfare Services, a branch of Tulare County Health and Human Services division, had been to Smith's apartment at least 10 times in the last year. A county spokeswoman said Tuesday that a request for information on the case could take up to 10 days.

Neighbors also reported that the 18-month-old, Alexis Acosta, had a broken leg that was in a cast for a few months earlier this year. Alexis was taken by CWS workers May 7, police said.

The May 7 visit by police was the third time they'd been called to the home in regards to Sophia, Bush said. An incident report was taken once and two investigations remain active, he said. Officers had also been called out to the apartment two other times, for a domestic dispute and assault at the apartment, both unrelated to Sophia, police said.

Thank you so much for updating this case Dr.Meg and welcome to the forum. Would you mind posting the link with the stories too please next time. I certainly want to know more about this, especially now we know yet another child was living in a violent household and apparently that didn't bother anyone. Cheers.

From the Exeter Sun newspaper
http://www.theexetersun.com/articles/2011/05/18/news/news01.txt

P[b]olice investigate death of Exeter girl, 3[/b]
By Reggie Ellis and Mo Montgomery Updated: Wednesday, May 18, 2011 10:25 AM PDT
It was a bitter-sweet moment as onlookers watched 16 month old Bella Johnson play a game of hide and seek with her mom, Shannon at Joyner Park last Thursday. Sitting just 20 feet away were candles, signs, and mementoes honoring another little girl who was not as fortunate.

Three year old Sophia Acosta, was pronounced dead at approximately 11:05 p.m. May 11 after being rushed to hospital and remaining on life support. On Saturday, May 7 just before 4 p.m., Exeter Police Department and Medical Personnel were dispatched to the 800 block of West Visalia Road for a juvenile not breathing. Upon arrival officers were lead to the three year old female whom was lifeless on the floor. Medical personnel attempted to revive the three year old female and then transported her to Kaweah Delta Hospital. The three year old was later transported by helicopter to Children’s Hospital Central California where she remained in critical condition on life support. Doctor’s at Children’s Hospital advised the Exeter Police Department of internal brain hemorrhaging and other injuries making the case suspicious in nature.

“We are investigating this as a homicide but we do not have any suspects at this time,” Exeter Police Chief Cliff Bush said.

Bush said the department will know more about the nature of the crime when they receive the results of the autopsy report. Bush said the autopsy was scheduled for Monday but that results would not be available until late this week at the earliest.

Sophia and her sister, Alexa, 16 months, were living with mother Erika Smith and her boyfriend Chris Cherry, now said to be persons of interest in the case. No arrests have been made at this time and police continue to investigate the child’s suspicious death.

“These kinds of crimes make you think about your own children and grandchildren and we want to make an arrest just as bad as everyone else,” Bush said. “But we have to make sure we have properly evaluated all the evidence to make sure those responsible are the ones being arrested.”

According to Exeter Police Department records, officers have been called to the apartment two times prior to the May 7 incident. The first happened in January 2011 when officers were dispatched for an incident that is still under investigation. The second happened in March 2011 when officers were dispatched to check the welfare of the child. No one was arrested and no crimes have been charged in either incident.

Allison Lambert, media specialist with Tulare County Healthand Human Services, said Child Welfare Services could not provide any information about any ongoing investigations, nor could they confirm if Alexa had been taken into protective custody.

A Community Mourns

A large tree at the west end of Joyner Park has been the site of multiple vigils, prayers, tears and condolences throughout this last week. Community members joined family and friends to mourn the loss of Sophia and band together to ask for justice.

“I’m a mother and this whole thing totally threw me,” said resident Amanda Berumen. “As a mom I thought we should as a community come out and support her.”

Berumen handed out blue ribbons Thursday evening to raise awareness about child abuse.

Mother and daughter Carolyn and Shannon Johnson also attended the vigil. The two saw Sophia’s mother Erika Smith days after Sophia was hospitalized.

“She said they had rushed Sophia to the hospital because she had choked on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but it was confusing because she said they had bathed her before they took her to the hospital,” said Carolyn. “I just couldn’t believe she was telling me all this. I wouldn’t be standing there if my child was in the hospital. I’d be at my baby’s side.”

Great grandmother Ruth Williams said she believes Smith’s boyfriend Chris Cherry is responsible for Sophia’s death. Williams said after Smith began dating Cherry in November she noticed several suspicious things including bruises and bumps, as well as the fact that Sophia didn’t want to return home.

“She’d beg and plead to stay with me and say ‘can I just stay with you, I don’t want to go home,” said Williams. “I asked her if he [Cherry] ever hit her and she said once he did. But I noticed bruises on both girls regularly.”

Williams said she called the police multiple times, begged Smith to leave Cherry and is upset that CPS did not remove the children from the apartment. Williams said the suspicions reached a boiling point when she and Cherry had an altercation a week before Sophia was hospitalized. It was here that Williams said Cherry pulled a knife on her. Williams said she has not spoken with Erika or her daughter since Sophia’s death.

“My mind can not comprehend what he’s done,” said Williams. “God only knows the pain Sophia went through. Death is not good enough for him.”

She said she is now worried Sophia will be buried between Exeter and Livingston where her biological father, Obie Acosta lives. While no funeral arrangements have been made to date, an account has been set up at the Exeter Bank of America by the family to pay for Sophia’s burial.

EXETER — Police Chief Cliff Bush sat at his home computer this week and looked
through dozens of Facebook comments and photos dedicated to a 3-year-old girl
who died more than two weeks ago.

Investigators have test results, but police continue to build a case revolving around
the girl's mother, Ericka Smith, and her boyfriend, Christopher Cheary, who have
both been named as people of interest in the case.

But while an arrest, if there is one, may be days away, police are using the pain of
Sophia Acosta's death to move forward.

"The feelings are so strong that they drive us to not give up," Bush said. "Our
detectives have worked hundreds of hours, but we're not going to rush this."

An autopsy released last week showed that Sophia died of blunt- force trauma to her
head, nearly a week after she was found by police in her Exeter apartment. Tests
conducted by the Department of Justice were also completed late this week and a
report is being compiled for Exeter investigators. Police are also looking into
reports that Sophia may have been sexually assaulted prior to her head being hit, Bush said.

Test results aren't the only key evidence, as Bush says he wants a solid case.

Sophia was found the afternoon of May 7. When officers and medical personnel
arrived, they found three people — Smith, Cheary and a neighbor — all trying to help
the toddler, who lay naked and lifeless on the apartment floor.

Emergency personnel were able to obtain a pulse and rushed Sophia to Kaweah Delta
Medical Center. A few hours later, she was flown to Children's Hospital Central
California in Madera County, Bush said. She died May 11 of a brain hemorrhage.

A maintenance crew Thursday was clearing the apartment after Smith was evicted
earlier this month, a manager said. All of the items, including furniture, bedding,

children's toys and clothes, were given to local charity. Truckloads of items were taken.

The complex manager, Mandy Nevarez, said she was given the OK only after
clearing it with the property's owner, in hopes of re-renting the unit soon.

Police served two search warrants in the apartment.

Bush also sent an Exeter detective to Winton, a small city north of Merced, where
Sophia was buried Tuesday. He said the trip was part of the investigation.

"We are going to gather every piece of evidence we can to make this case as
strong as we can," Bush said. "There's no timeline for an arrest. There are a few
things we are trying to tie up and will do so soon."

Tulare County officials Thursday responded to requests made earlier this month on
Child Protective Service records related to Sophia.

County officials refused to re-lease any records, releasing the following statement:

"After consultation with the Office of the Tulare County District Attorney, it has been
directed that any additional release of information in the child homicide of three-
year-old Sophia Acosta would be detrimental to the criminal investigation of this case.

"Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency continues to work with law
enforcement and the Office of the Tulare County District Attorney as appropriate."

The statement was released at 5 p.m. Officials were not available for further comment.

http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011105270331

KMPH news is learning new details into what
happened inside the home where Exeter Police say 3–year–old Sophia
Acosta was murdered.
Little Sophia's former baby–sitter is speaking out about the abuse she says she witnessed.
"I'd seen him spank her really hard and I talked to Sophia's mom about that," Vega said. "She didn't listen."
This latest revelation comes one day after Exeter Police arrested the mother's boyfriend, 20–year–old Christopher Cheary.
He's accused of killing Sophia in May.
According to the criminal complaint obtained
by KMPH news – Cheary faces charges of first–degree murder with special
circumstances including torture, sodomy and lewd acts with a child.
Dozens of people gathered Friday night at Triangle Park in Exeter to light candles in memory of Sophia.
A giant Pine tree decorated with flowers,
candles and stuffed animals has become common ground for many in the
small and tight–knit community.
"I brought candles and I brought flowers... I figured red for love," Lynn Charron said.
Sophia's murder also touched the heart of 18–year–old Carly Vega.
She says she baby–sat little Sophia and her little sister Alexa.
"Sophia had black eyes...she said her butt hurt. She would always be scared and say... don't tell my daddy."
Vega says Sophia referred to her mother's boyfriend as her "daddy".
Exeter police arrested Cheary Thursday night
in Stanislaus County that's about 145 miles from the Exeter apartment
where investigators say the little girl was brutally beaten to death and
sexually assaulted.
"You can only run so far but you are going to get caught," Exeter resident Carolyn Johnson said.
Sophia's biological father Obediah Acosta attended Friday's community vigil.
Sophia's mother Erika smith did not.
"I haven't spoke to Erika at all," Acosta said. "I have nothing to say to her."
Exeter police still consider Smith a ‘person of interest'.
"I talked to Erika about some of the stuff I
saw and she didn't listen," added Vega. "They tried to blame some stuff
on me about blood in the baby's diaper when the 1–year–old got a broken
leg."
Vega says she met Smith in December 2011 and stopped baby sitting the girls in April.
"I couldn't stay there because he put his
hands on me... he was pushing on me and stuff," Vega said. "He didn't
want anyone around. He wanted to put them in solitude."
http://www.kmph.com/story/14838592/little-sophias-babysitter-says-she-witnessed-the-abuse

This mother needs to be charged also.

Another POS mother. Another POS boyfriend. Another dead baby.

Vega says she met Smith in December 2011 and stopped baby sitting the girls in April. "I couldn't stay there because he put his
hands on me... he was pushing on me and stuff," Vega said. "He didn't want anyone around. He wanted to put them in solitude."
http://www.kmph.com/story/14838592/little-sophias-babysitter-says-she-witnessed-the-abuse

Hello? 911? Sorry, but I am so sick of this. If you see abuse call 911. It's really that flippin' simple. If it isn't abuse they will investigate, if it is, they will investigate.

Admin wrote:Vega says she met Smith in December 2011 and stopped baby sitting the girls in April. "I couldn't stay there because he put his
hands on me... he was pushing on me and stuff," Vega said. "He didn't want anyone around. He wanted to put them in solitude."
http://www.kmph.com/story/14838592/little-sophias-babysitter-says-she-witnessed-the-abuse

Hello? 911? Sorry, but I am so sick of this. If you see abuse call 911. It's really that flippin' simple. If it isn't abuse they will investigate, if it is, they will investigate.

911had been called two previous times resulting in two police visits to this home regarding the mistreatment of Sophia. Nothing was done. There were also several child abuse reports made and nothing was done. The baby sitter may have been one of the people making the reports.

Several outsiders were aware of the abuse going on in this home and now Sophia is dead. Another DCF failure.