Latest news with #JamesVanderleest
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Father and son accused in toddler's death appear in Brown County court
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – A father and son accused of being connected to the death of a 2-year-old boy appeared in court Monday for a probable cause and bond hearing. 'I really am stressing and hoping that this monster can stay behind bars,' a member of the victim's family said during the hearing. Multiple people face felonies after drugs, firearms found in Wisconsin raids James and David Vanderleest were arrested in connection with the child's death and appeared in court for the first time Monday. The court sealed the probable cause statements in the case, a move David Vanderleest opposed, saying he wanted the records to be open to the public. 'Why are we allowing prosecutors just to lie against the Vanderleest family?' David said in court. 'That's normally what happens in this town. You're gonna do what you wanna do.' David Vanderleest, who previously ran unsuccessfully for the Wisconsin State Senate and Assembly, is being held on a $100,000 cash bond. He is prohibited from having contact with his son or the victim's family. James Vanderleest's bond was set at $2 million. He is also barred from contacting anyone involved in the case. 'Two million dollars — my family doesn't even have a million dollars,' James said in court. 'I've went completely bankrupt. You guys can order whatever you want, but I don't think two million or $100,000 for my dad's bond is acceptable.' Wisconsin inmate convicted of murdering cellmate at Taycheedah Correctional Institution Deputy District Attorney Wendy Lemkuil told the court that James instructed the child's mother and his father to lie to police and said he had already tried contacting the victim's family while in jail. Both men are scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing in July. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Leo Escalante case: James Vanderleest officially charged with homicide in toddler's death
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – Nearly a month after a 2-year-old's suspicious death, a 21-year-old Green Bay man was officially charged with homicide. According to a criminal complaint obtained by Local 5, 21-year-old James Vanderleest was charged with . The Green Bay Police Department identified the child as Leo Escalante. On June 22, officers were called to a residence on Alpine Drive for a report of a child who was not breathing. The mother of the child was reportedly driving the child to the hospital but pulled over so someone could do CPR. Flooding causes major delays in Wautoma as storms move through area Authorities spoke with James' father, who said he was the only one at the residence. Which was later debunked, and James admitted to being home alone with the child. The child was later airlifted to a hospital, where he died from his injuries on June 23. On June 23 authorities spoke with the child's doctor, who said the injuries were not consistent with a fall down the stairs. James claimed that he left to get toilet paper and came back to find the child at the bottom of the stairs. On June 24, authorities met with the child's mother who wanted to provide the 'full' story of what happened on June 22. She reportedly said she left the residence and got a call from James saying the child was not breathing. She reportedly told authorities that the child was not a fan of James. On June 27, both James and his father . Two days later on June 29 authorities spoke with James. He claimed he left to grab a roll of toilet paper and was gone for maybe a minute. When he came back, he found the child unconscious, James told authorities. When detectives asked him why he didn't call 9-1-1, James reportedly said he panicked and thought the child's mother had called 9-1-1. James continued to deny that he harmed or injured the child. After detectives told James that the child's injuries were not consistent with him falling down the stairs, he said 'nothing else happened,' according to the complaint. Later that day, detectives spoke with James again. Authorities reportedly explained to James that the injuries appear to be consistent with shaking baby. Mail carrier accused of stealing Menards rebates bound for Wisconsin enters guilty plea James reportedly said he did not make any mistakes and is telling the truth. In the complaint, James mentioned multiple times to authorities that he had a no-contact order with the mother of the child, and that played a role in some of his actions. James is charged with: First degree reckless homicide Felony Up to 60 years in prison Obstructing an officer Misdemeanor Up to nine months in prison Bail jumping (four felony counts) Felony Up to six years in prison (per count) Bail jumping (two misdemeanor counts) Misdemeanor Up to nine months in prison (per count) Court records show Vanderleest was in court on July 16 for his initial appearance. His cash bonds is at $2,050,000. He is scheduled to be back in court on August 16. No additional information was provided. Local 5 will update this story as the case progresses. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
