BY KRISTINA HACKER AND JOE CORTEZ
Turlock Journal
More than a dozen neighbors stood in silent vigil on Wednesday afternoon, watching as members of the Stanislaus County Sheriff Coroner's Office removed the body of a 2-year-old boy from the remains of a house fire in the 1200 block of Expedition Avenue.
The boy’s uncle, 29-year-old Richard Regalado of Turlock, was arrested and booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center on charges of murder, aggravated arson and child abuse causing death, authorities said. He is expected to be arraigned on Friday.
“This is the kind of call that stays with you,” said Turlock Police Chief Jason Hedden. “It impacts everyone who responded. A 2-year-old child lost their life in a way no child ever should. Our hearts are with the family, and we will do everything we can to ensure accountability.”
The Turlock Fire Department received a call to respond to a house fire in the 1200 block of Expedition Avenue at approximately 9:20 a.m. Wednesday. Six engines, two battalion chiefs and a total of 25 firefighters were on scene, along with interim Deputy Fire Chief for Turlock Chris Jelinek.
Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy fire in the rear of the home and the attic. The Stanislaus Regional Fire Investigations Unit also responded and will be responsible for determining the cause and origin of the fire.
“Our crews arrived to a home fully engulfed in flames with reports that a child was inside,” said Jelinek. “Firefighters worked quickly to control the fire and search the home under extremely difficult conditions. This is a tragic outcome that weighs heavily on everyone who responded.”
Hedden, multiple Turlock Police officers, detectives, Fire Investigative Unit personnel, members of the District Attorney's Bureau of Investigations, and Deputy DA Vita Palazuelos were on scene throughout the day investigating the cause of the fire and cause of death of the child.
Neighbors, who asked not to be identified, said a man was seen leaving the home shortly before the fire started at around 9:15 a.m. According to a TPD press release, officers quickly located a man matching that description nearby. Once the fire was brought under control, firefighters conducted an extensive search of the residence and located the child deceased inside a bedroom.
The case was immediately assigned to Turlock Police detectives as a homicide investigation. Detectives determined the fire had been intentionally set. The individual located near the scene was identified as the child’s uncle and the last known person responsible for the child’s care.
This investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Gina Giovacchini at (209) 668-6539.
