A Wisconsin man is facing serious accusations after allegedly killing his 2-year-old son and attempting to shift the blame onto his own father. James VanderLeest, 21, reportedly told authorities that his son, Leo Escalante, fell down a flight of stairs while being watched by his grandfather, David VanderLeest, 48.
However, the boy’s autopsy indicated the cause of death was not due to a fall but rather an “acute incident,” pointing to a possible deliberate act.
The Alleged Incident
On June 22, 2024, James VanderLeest claimed that his son Leo had fallen down the stairs while under the care of his father, David VanderLeest.
However, after the investigation, the cause of death was determined to be something other than an accidental fall, with the boy’s injuries being categorized as resulting from an “acute incident.”
James VanderLeest then allegedly attempted to cover up the crime by asking his father to take the fall for the child’s death and helped him evade arrest. The two are said to have barricaded themselves inside a home, refusing to come out until law enforcement used a flash bomb to gain entry.
David VanderLeest has since claimed he was unaware of his son’s criminal actions and insisted that he was trying to prevent his son from committing suicide during the time of the police investigation.
Legal Developments
James VanderLeest has not yet been formally charged but is expected to face multiple felony charges related to his son’s death. Meanwhile, David VanderLeest has been arrested and is set to face charges for allegedly helping his son flee and hide in a relative’s cabin.
In court, David denied any involvement in the crime, stating that he was not present in the house when Leo suffered the fatal injuries. He added that his written statement did not confirm he was at the scene, though authorities dispute this claim.
Family and Past Legal Troubles
The situation is further complicated by James VanderLeest’s criminal history. He reportedly has at least four other open cases in Brown County, including charges of strangulation, suffocation, disorderly conduct, and domestic abuse. His actions had reportedly led to an order of protection being issued by Leo’s mother against him.
It was also revealed that James allegedly tried to manipulate Leo’s mother into lying, asking her to say that his father was the one present when Leo was injured. This piece of information was brought forward during the court proceedings, further complicating the case.
The Impact on the Family
The tragic death of young Leo has caused immense pain for his family. Leo’s aunt, Keri Tucker, expressed her grief, saying, “Because of him being able to run for his life to a cabin in the woods with his dad, my nephew doesn’t get to run on this Earth again. For that, you need to stay in those brick walls, James.”
Both James and David VanderLeest appeared in court, where James’ bail was set at $2 million and David’s bond was set at $100,000. James is due back in court on July 16, while David will appear on July 17.
The case surrounding the death of Leo Escalante has left a family shattered and a community in disbelief. The circumstances surrounding the child’s death, along with the alleged attempts to evade justice, paint a disturbing picture of the VanderLeest family’s actions.
As the legal proceedings unfold, many are left asking how such a tragedy could have been prevented.
