Investigators of Girl’s Death Search Homes

Still hunting for clues in the death of a 2-year-old Oxnard girl who the county coroner said died after suffering blows to her stomach, the Oxnard Police Department searched the homes of the toddler’s grandparents.

Oxnard homicide detectives received search warrants Friday to scour the residences of Miguel Nieto Sr. and Juan Hernandez--the grandfathers of Joselyn Hernandez.

Joselyn was described as a victim of battered-child syndrome by the coroner, who said she died from blunt trauma to the stomach.

The child, who according to relatives had been hospitalized in the past with broken ribs and a broken leg, had once been taken from her teenage parents by the Ventura County Child Protective Services Department. Joselyn’s maternal grandmother was given custody of the child temporarily, but Joselyn was returned to her parents after her grandmother’s death.

Detectives have appealed to the public for help in solving the case, said Senior Officer Tom Chronister.

“The problem right now is that no one is pointing the finger at anyone,” he said.

The department recovered 35 items of evidence, but Chronister would not disclose what they were. He did say that officers had photographs and other reports that showed a history of abuse, but that detectives still needed evidence about who is directly responsible for Joselyn’s death.

Detectives have interviewed relatives and friends of the family, but have gotten conflicting stories about what happened.

The department is encouraging anyone with information to call the Ventura County Crime Stoppers hotline at 385-TALK.

Tipsters with information that leads to an arrest could receive up to $1,000.

Information can also be given to detectives at 385-7604.