2024-01-10 08:00:00
An Indiana family is mourning the loss of a five-year-old boy who died on New Year’s Eve. The family says that Leo Eslinger’s death was a consequence of what they call a broken system. “Little things just excited him,” said Kristi Held, Leo’s Great Aunt. “He would squeal in delight, and you just couldn’t help but just be excited with him.”Leo Eslinger was born in Evansville back in 2018. Sarah and Joseph Eslinger, his mother and father, would have two other kids after him. It wasn’t until 2023 that things changed, and in March, the parents would filed for divorce. This was shortly after Sara was arrested for burglary. In March, Joseph filed for custody of the kids, much to the family’s displeasure. “We tried, we tried everything. We did everything by the book, according to the law; we did everything that we were supposed to do,” said Held. Joseph and his girlfriend, Diana Lopez, took the kids and moved to Louisiana, according to Held. Held was fighting for the custody of the children. “If it had been a little bit different in any of those areas, Leo would still be here today,” said Held. According to Held, she hadn’t heard a word from Joseph or the kids until December 29. That is when Held said she got a call from the Louisiana Department of Child and Family Services. “Leo had been severely beaten and was in the hospital at New Orleans Children’s Hospital,” said Held. “She said that he would likely not be there when we got there.”Less than 12 hours later, Held and her sister made it to New Orleans, where they found Leo on the ventilator. Authorities at the hospital told Held they had never dealt with a case so bad. Held said doctors told her that Leo had three brain bleeds, over 50 loop marks, puncture wounds, and widespread bruising. “Why didn’t they listen to us? Why didn’t they believe us? This poor baby, why is he having to suffer because other people didn’t take this seriously,” said Held. Held said the family arranged for Leo’s mother to say goodbye to him since she was still in jail. “We were able to let her say goodbye over the phone to Leo. And that is something that no mother should ever have to do. You shouldn’t have to bury your child. There is a responsibility that others have in this community for their failure to act,” said Held. “Whatever is required in this system is not enough to ensure the safety of the kids.”Joseph and Lopez were both arrested on the scene the night Leo was life-flighted to New Orleans. Both face charges of cruelty to a juvenile with major injuries. Held says in Leo’s death, they are now focused to changing the sytem that they say failed him. A new group called Leo’s Voice hopes to ensure the safety of any child that could be in danger. “We will advocate for those changes. We will see changes made through legislation so that no other child has to go through this,” said Held. “I also made a promise to Leo that he would not have died in vain.”Leo’s funeral was held on Tuesday. His siblings are currently in the foster care system pending court hearings.
LIVINGSTON PARISH, La. —
An Indiana family is mourning the loss of a five-year-old boy who died on New Year’s Eve.
The family says that Leo Eslinger’s death was a consequence of what they call a broken system.
“Little things just excited him,” said Kristi Held, Leo’s Great Aunt. “He would squeal in delight, and you just couldn’t help but just be excited with him.”
Leo Eslinger was born in Evansville back in 2018.
Sarah and Joseph Eslinger, his mother and father, would have two other kids after him.
It wasn’t until 2023 that things changed, and in March, the parents would filed for divorce.
This was shortly after Sara was arrested for burglary.
In March, Joseph filed for custody of the kids, much to the family’s displeasure.
“We tried, we tried everything. We did everything by the book, according to the law; we did everything that we were supposed to do,” said Held.
Joseph and his girlfriend, Diana Lopez, took the kids and moved to Louisiana, according to Held.
Held was fighting for the custody of the children.
“If it had been a little bit different in any of those areas, Leo would still be here today,” said Held.
According to Held, she hadn’t heard a word from Joseph or the kids until December 29. That is when Held said she got a call from the Louisiana Department of Child and Family Services.
“Leo had been severely beaten and was in the hospital at New Orleans Children’s Hospital,” said Held. “She said that he would likely not be there when we got there.”
Less than 12 hours later, Held and her sister made it to New Orleans, where they found Leo on the ventilator.
Authorities at the hospital told Held they had never dealt with a case so bad.
Held said doctors told her that Leo had three brain bleeds, over 50 loop marks, puncture wounds, and widespread bruising.
“Why didn’t they listen to us? Why didn’t they believe us? This poor baby, why is he having to suffer because other people didn’t take this seriously,” said Held.
Held said the family arranged for Leo’s mother to say goodbye to him since she was still in jail.
“We were able to let her say goodbye over the phone to Leo. And that is something that no mother should ever have to do. You shouldn’t have to bury your child. There is a responsibility that others have in this community for their failure to act,” said Held. “Whatever is required in this system is not enough to ensure the safety of the kids.”
Joseph and Lopez were both arrested on the scene the night Leo was life-flighted to New Orleans.
Both face charges of cruelty to a juvenile with major injuries.
Held says in Leo’s death, they are now focused to changing the sytem that they say failed him.
A new group called Leo’s Voice hopes to ensure the safety of any child that could be in danger.
“We will advocate for those changes. We will see changes made through legislation so that no other child has to go through this,” said Held. “I also made a promise to Leo that he would not have died in vain.”
Leo’s funeral was held on Tuesday. His siblings are currently in the foster care system pending court hearings.
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