TAMPA, FL -- A 21-year-old man has been charged in the beating death of a 2-year-old Tampa girl after detectives say he admitted to wrapping the child up and beating her.
Hillsborough Sheriffs say Kenneth Lopez wrapped the child in a towel and a blanket covering her face and struck her several times to discipline her because she did not want to go to sleep and she would not stop crying.
Lopez is the boyfriend of the child's mother, who called authorities early Sunday morning.
The child, Gabrielle Randel, was admitted to St. Joseph's Hospital in critical condition and died at the hospital that afternoon. An autopsy will be performed by the medical examiner's Office to determine the cause of death.
The Sheriff's office report indicates the child's mother, Danielle McCleary and the suspect had been living in a hotel for approximately 2 weeks after moving here from Illinois. McCleary also has a 3-year-old son who was present during the abuse and is now in the custody of Department of Children and Family.
