Man Charged in July 4 Infant Death Faces Life in Prison If Convicted

A man accused of fatally injuring an 8-month-old girl he was babysitting in Ramona must stand trial on murder and assault on a child charges, a judge ruled today.

David Humberto Ortiz, 20, faces life in prison if convicted in the death last July 4 of Liliana Velasquez.

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. Paramedics took Liliana to Rady Children's Hospital, where she died two days later. The cause of death was listed as traumatic injury to the head.

The defendant's uncle said his nephew was not the victim's biological father but was engaged to the child's mother and loved the baby like she was his own.

At the conclusion of a preliminary hearing today in El Cajon, Judge Lantz Lewis ruled that enough evidence was presented for Ortiz to stand trial. Arraignment in Superior Court was set for Feb. 19.

Ortiz was arrested last July 9. He faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the assault charge and 15 years to life if convicted of second- degree murder.

—City News Service