A father in Louisiana will be spending the next several decades behind bars after he refused to get medical care for his son, whom he claimed was “mentally manifesting” his illness before his death.
Joseph Eslinger pleaded no contest to manslaughter after he was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his 5-year-old son, Leonardo “Leo” Eslinger. He has since been sentenced to serve 40 years in prison, according to The Advocate.
Authorities first learned of the incident after receiving a call about a child who was not breathing on December 28, 2023. Police officers then reported to Eslinger’s home in Albany, Louisiana, where they found Leo, 5, unresponsive. He was airlifted to New Orleans Children’s Hospital, which is now known as Manning Family Children’s, for treatment.
Leo was in the hospital for three days before he died on New Year’s Eve.
An autopsy revealed that Leo was malnourished and had bruises and lacerations all over his body and face at the time of his death. Additionally, it was discovered that the boy had multiple brain bleeds.
Detectives later arrested and questioned Eslinger, 29, about Leo’s death. The father reportedly said his son had been sick and claimed the boy refused to talk or eat anything in the days leading up to his hospitalization.
Eslinger claimed to authorities that Leo was “mentally manifesting these symptoms” and he wasn’t as sick as he appeared to be, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by The Advocate. Because of this, Eslinger chose not to seek medical help for his son.
During the investigation, police concluded that Eslinger did not act alone and that his girlfriend at the time, Diana Lopez, also allegedly abused Leo.
Prosecutors argued that Eslinger and Lopez, 29, targeted their abuse toward Leo and that they treated him differently than his two younger siblings.
Lopez was arrested at the same time as Eslinger and was charged with first-degree murder in connection with Leo’s death. She is next scheduled to appear in court in November regarding the charge. (It’s not currently clear whether Lopez has entered a plea, and an attorney was not made readily available for comment.)
Eslinger also has an upcoming court date in November, where he is expected to plead guilty to an obstruction of justice charge related to the case, according to The Advocate.
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
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