Boy With Suspicious Head Injuries Dies

A 14-month-old Oxnard boy who suffered suspicious head injuries while in the care of his baby sitter, died Thursday in a Santa Barbara hospital, authorities said Friday.

Carlos Borunda, who was born March 27, 1996, in Ventura, died at 2:08 p.m. in the pediatrics intensive care unit of Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital as a result of blunt head injuries, according to Ventura County Medical Examiner Richard O’Halloran.

An autopsy was performed Friday, but O’Halloran was not ready to say whether the cause of death was accidental or occurred at the hands of another.

Authorities say it will take up to two weeks to determine if the death involved child abuse.

No arrests have been made.

The female baby sitter, whose name is being withheld by authorities, called paramedics at 3 p.m. May 29 to report that Carlos had fallen and hurt his head, detectives said. The child was taken to St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard and transferred later that night to Cottage Hospital.

He was in very serious condition throughout his weeklong stay and never regained consciousness, hospital officials said.

Oxnard police detectives say the injuries do not appear to be the result of an accidental fall.

“This will remain suspicious until we determine the circumstances of this child’s death,” Oxnard Police Cmdr. Joe Munoz said.

Authorities have questioned the baby sitter twice and have also interviewed the child’s parents, Miguel and Leonor Borunda.

A memorial service is planned for Monday at 2 p.m. at Santa Clara Cemetery in Oxnard.