Families struggle through loss of children

Four area families lost children in tragic ways this summer and for one terrible moment became the news of the day, scrutinized by law enforcement and the public alike. Now, they are left to deal with their grief:

Anay Alamillo

“My daughters are devastated. They said they are gonna die, too,” said Fidel Alamillo, speaking of the sisters of 8-year-old Anay Alamillo. “They changed a lot. They don’t obey me as before.”

Anay, a smart, ambitious girl, died May 31 when she stepped on a live wire in her backyard and was electrocuted. She reportedly was wet from swimming in a neighbor’s pool.

Her family is dealing with more than their grief — they said Child Protective Services is requiring them to fix several things with their trailer if they want to continue living there.

Alamillo said they cannot afford the repairs, so he, his wife and three children have been living with family members for more than a month now.

“They told us they would help us ask for emergency housing, but we haven’t heard from them again,” he said.

He describes his late daughter with reverence.

“She knew more things than us. I was surprised at how she expressed herself, her ideas,” Alamillo said.

No charges have been filed in the case.

Izik Esteban Rodriguez.

Izik Esteban Rodriguez, 13, died on June 3 while playing in an inflatable pool in the backyard of his house on Tallowood Circle. He apparently was jumping and sliding and broke his neck, leaving him paralyzed; he drowned in the shallow water.

His family was not available for comment, but a month after his death, a memorial with a cross, flowers, candles and his photo remain at the scene.

Neighbors said CPS has visited the residence several times.

No charges have been filed.

Leonardo Silva

Two-year-old Leonardo Silva died on June 27.

An autopsy revealed that his lungs were burned after he ingested gasoline.

His family suffers from emotions swinging from disbelief to despair. They sit in their living room, surrounded by portraits, candles and toys, to talk about their loss.

Rafaela Hernandez, Leonardo’s grandmother, said she cannot sleep, and she worries about her daughter, Keren Medina, the mother of the little boy.

“My daughter is not OK. She pretends she is fine but I can see that her eyes are always red,” Hernandez said.

Medina’s voice and eyes change when she talks about her son.

She remembers Leonardo’s favorite movie, that he loved eating chocolate and that he liked farm animals, especially cows.

“We were always together,” Medina said. “It’s really hard. Everywhere I go it is the same thing, in the car, every park.”

Hernandez said that Leonardo’s death has strained an already difficult relationship between her daughter and the boy’s father,

“They fight all the time. Even at the funeral you could see how divided the families were,” Hernandez said.

No charges have been filed.

Francisco Avila

Three-year-old Francisco Avila died in a hot van parked outside his home in Cameron Park, authorities said. He was believed to have been missing at least two hours when his 16-year-old sister found him.

The boy’s mother, 33-year-old Elena Isabel Rodriguez, is charged with manslaughter and has been jailed since his July 5 death in lieu of $40,000 bail.

Rodriguez also has a detainer under the U.S. Border Patrol’s Criminal Alien Apprehension Program, which means she could have federal charges pending against her.

Authorities allowed her to see her son for a few moments before his funeral on July 7.

The family declined to comment for this article.

Herald reporter Jacqueline Armendariz contributed to this report.