Authorities Review Death of Oxnard Boy

A 7-year-old Oxnard boy, who reportedly had been complaining of stomach pains for days after being punched by an older stepbrother last week, died Wednesday at St. John’s Regional Medical Center from severe internal injuries, police said Friday.

Manuel Venegas was rushed to the hospital emergency room about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday after his condition had worsened, and he died half an hour later from a rupture of the small intestine, according to Deputy Coroner Jim Wingate.

Oxnard Police Sgt. Denny Phillips said the district attorney’s office is reviewing the case, but said no charges have been filed against the 12-year-old stepbrother.

Manuel had moved to Oxnard in January from Mexico where his mother, Sandra Venegas, still resides, Phillips said. The first-grader, who attended Dennis McKinna School, lived with his father, Manuel Pulido Mendez, 27, and Edith Rodriquez, 20, Mendez’s girlfriend, Phillips said.

Both Mendez and Rodriquez have disappeared since the boy’s death Wednesday, Phillips said.

“They could have gone back to Mexico to get the victim’s mother or they might have absconded because they are undocumented aliens,” Phillips said. “We just don’t know right now.”

Manuel and his stepbrother had been playing catch with a baseball the afternoon of April 3 when the game turned into a tussle between the two boys, Phillips said.

The 12-year-old, who speaks limited English, told investigators that he punched Manuel in the stomach as they wrestled, Phillips said.

But the older boy said the youngster did not appear hurt when they rode their bicycles together later that day, Phillips said.

Relatives who live in the dead boy’s residence said Manuel complained of stomach pains over the weekend but said he was OK after he was given some tea, Phillips said.

However, the pain worsened as the week progressed, relatives told Phillips, prompting Manuel’s father to take the boy to the hospital Wednesday afternoon.

Manuel’s grandmother, Socorro Pulido, said he was a humble boy who was only interested in school.

Wiping away tears, Pulido said Friday afternoon that she did not witness the incident, but said the 12-year-old felt terrible about it.

Rafael Flores, 9, who lives across the street from the family, said Manuel began coughing up blood just before he was taken to the hospital Wednesday.

The stepbrother was riding a bicycle outside the house Friday afternoon, ignoring neighborhood children who were peppering him with questions about the death.

The autopsy on Manuel was conducted by the county medical examiner, Warren Lovell, who could not be reached for comment. However, Wingate said it was unusual that a punch by a 12-year-old could cause a fatal injury.