Calgary police have laid charges against a pair of Calgary grandparents for the death of five-year-old Emilio Perdomo.
Allan and Carolina Perdomo were arrested Friday morning and taken to the Calgary police arrest processing unit. They are now charged with manslaughter in connection to the case.
At a press conference held Friday evening, police said Allan is believed to be Emilio’s biological grandfather while Carolina is believed to be a stepgrandmother.
Police said Emilio was sent to Canada from Mexico by his biological mother in order to try and provide him with a better life. He arrived in Canada in February 2015.
“We actually flew investigators down to Mexico City early on to meet the mom as part of the investigation,” Staff Sgt. Mike Cavilla of the Calgary Police Service said.
READ MORE: Exclusive – Mom of 5-year-old killed said she sent son to Canada for better life
Earlier in July, police issued a release saying the couple was wanted for questioning.
Police confirmed they later turned themselves in for questioning and were released, but investigators added they were not cleared in the case.
READ MORE: Grandparents named people of interest in Calgary boy’s death
Emilio was seen by a doctor about two months after he arrived in Canada and was found to be in good health.
In July 2015 he was taken to a clinic and later rushed to the Alberta Children’s Hospital, where he died July 17, 2015.
Watch below: Global’s ongoing coverage of the case of Emilio Perdomo
Police said he had swelling and bruising all over his body, as well as other serious injuries. He died as a result of multiple blunt force trauma injuries. His death has been deemed a
homicide.
“We received our last medical report on this file on June 30, 2016 – a few short weeks ago,” Cavilla said. “That’s how long it takes. We have radiologists, emergency doctors, forensic pathologists, neuropathologists all weighing in on this. The medical evidence is monstrous, as you can well imagine, that’s what takes the time.”
According to police, Allan and Carolina told hospital workers Emilio had sustained a series of short falls.
READ MORE: Police investigate death of 5-year-old Calgary boy after injuries family attributed to ‘accidents’
Global News has tried to speak to Allan and Carolina Perdomo about the case, but they have declined to comment.
The couple saw a justice of the peace Friday and were formally charged with manslaughter.
The two accused remain in custody and are scheduled to appear in court Monday.
READ MORE: Investigation into death of 5-year-old Calgary boy focuses on family members
Police said Friday the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Calgary police at 403-266-1234 or the Homicide Unit Tip Line at 403-428-8877. Tips can also be left anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
-With files from Sarah Offin & Phil Heidenreich.
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