Jury Selection Begins for Ramona Babysitter Accused of Murder and Assault

Jury selection was scheduled to get under way at the El Cajon courthouse Tuesday for the trial of a man accused of fatally injuring an 8-month-old girl while babysitting in Ramona.

David Humberto Ortiz, 21, is charged with murder and assault on a child in the July 4, 2012, death of Liliana Velasquez. He faces life in prison if convicted.

Paramedics went to a home in the 2600 block of Southern Oak Road shortly before 11:30 a.m. in response to a report that a child had fallen, according to Cal Fire. Liliana was rushed by ambulance to Rady Children's Hospital, where she died two days later.

The cause of death was listed as traumatic injury to the head. Ortiz was arrested July 9, 2012.

The defendant's uncle said his nephew was not the victim's biological father but was engaged to her mother and loved Liliana as if she was his own.

-City News Service