The mother of a five-year-old boy killed last summer in Calgary says she sent her son to Canada for a better life.
“She is devastated by his death. What makes it worse for her is the fact she wasn’t here to protect him,” Staff Sgt. Doug Andrus of the Calgary Police Homicide Unit told Global News.
“We sent investigators down to Mexico City to speak with his mother; she provided us with the date he arrived in Canada and his state of health. She also indicated why she sent him here: she wanted to provide him with a better life, so he could learn and grow in Canada.”
Emilio Perdomo came to Canada from Mexico in February 2014.
He was sent to live with his grandparents, Allan and Carolina Perdomo, in southeast Calgary.
Emilio was seen by a doctor about two months after he arrived in Canada, and was found to be in good health.
Then in July, he was taken to a clinic, and later rushed to the children’s hospital. The child died in hospital July 17.
READ MORE: Police investigate death of 5-year-old Calgary boy after injuries family attributed to ‘accidents’
Police said he had swelling and bruising all over his body, as well as other serious injuries. Investigators have not yet released further details–including the cause of his death.
“His injuries weren’t consistent with the normal play of a child,” said Andrus.
“Emilio didn’t leave the house, he didn’t go to school, he didn’t go to daycare. We’re looking for people who had exclusive opportunity and that is the family of five that he was staying with.”
That includes Emilio’s grandparents, as well as three of their children: two teenagers and one adult, who also live in the Perdomo home.
Global News has tried to speak to Allan and Carolina Perdomo about the case, but they declined to comment.
None of the five residents are cooperating with police.
Despite the lack of cooperation so far, Andrus feels confident charges will be laid.
“We’ve made good progress in the investigation and we’re very optimistic that we will resolve this investigation.”
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