GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – The Vanderleests are back in court and it came with some controversy.
David Vanderleest had his preliminary hearing on Thursday morning and is set for another hearing on October 29. David pleaded not guilty to both charges of aiding or harboring a felon and obstructing an officer.
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“The information does mirror the charging section of the criminal complaint,” Defense Attorney John D’Angelo said during the hearing. “With that understanding, your honor, we are entering pleas of not guilty on both counts, and then asking if this matter can get set on the court’s calendar.”
In the afternoon, David’s son, James Vanderleest, had a status conference to review the date and time of his preliminary hearing, set for August 26.
James is charged with six counts of bail jumping and first-degree reckless homicide in the death of two-year-old Leo Escalante.
Leo died in late June from an alleged fall down the stairs; however, medical records said the injuries were more consistent with shaking.
Days later, James and David were arrested, and family members of the young boy are speaking out, demanding that both men be found guilty.
Family members lined up outside with signs, showing emotion and support to Leo’s family, while seeking answers from the courtroom.
“It’s pretty hard to ignore this, you know, because he is a two-year-old baby that never even got to live life to his fullest; they robbed him, and for them to take it with no consciousness, it’s uncalled for,” says family relative Terese Jacobs.
Relatives said they will continue to show up to hearings and the trials for both men to make their voices heard and that every child matters.
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“We are gonna be here, we are going to show our faces, we are going to show them that we support the families,” says Jacobs, “We are going to do whatever it takes, and even if it means we hold signs all day long, we want people in the world to know.”
Local 5 will continue to provide updates on both cases as they become available.
