Leola man, charged with homicide, admitted he struck son

A Leola man has been charged with homicide in the death of his infant son.

Jesus Manuel LaSanta, 27, of 462 Brendon Drive, Leola, was taken into custody Wednesday and committed to Lancaster County Prison without bail.

On the afternoon of Jan. 13 at his home, LaSanta caused traumatic injuries which resulted in the death of his 4-month-old son, Nazareth LaSanta, three days later, according to a criminal complaint filed with District Judge B. Denise Commins by East Lampeter Township police Det. Preston Gentzler.

It allegedly happened in LaSanta's home between 2:30 and 2:59 p.m.

LaSanta admitted that he had hurt his child during an interview Wednesday with township police Det. Joseph Edgell, the complaint states.

LaSanta told Edgell that he removed Nazareth from a bouncy seat, struck the child against his chest and forcibly placed him on a mattress "in a rapid and violent manner, causing Nazareth LaSanta's head to strike the mattress," according to the complaint.

LaSanta stated that this caused Nazareth to vomit and become unresponsive.

LaSanta performed CPR until an ambulance arrived, he told police.

Nazareth was taken to Hershey Medical Center, where he died on Jan. 16, according to the complaint.

At LaSanta's home right after the incident, township police Officer Gregory Dolk asked LaSanta if the baby was dropped or shaken and LaSanta told him, "No."

On Jan. 15, Robin Boyer of Lancaster County Children and Youth Social Services Agency contacted Edgell regarding a report received through Childline about Nazareth at Hershey Medical Center, the complaint states.

Boyer said the child was suffering from bilateral hemorrhaging in both eyes, and a cranial bleed.

She characterized the infant's injuries as non-accidental, the complaint states.

Nazareth died the following day.

On Jan. 17, Dr. Wayne Ross, a forensic pathologist in Lancaster and Dauphin counties, performed an autopsy.

Ross said Nazareth had a subdural hematoma with brain herniation, and hemorraging in both eyes, the complaint states. There was no bruising to the scalp.

Ross said there was evidence of healing rib fractures present in multiple ribs, according to the complaint. He said the cause of death was multiple traumatic injuries and the manner of death was homicide.

On Monday, Hershey Medical Center's Dr. Mark S. Dias told police that Nazareth suffered non-accidental, abusive head trauma at the hands of another, the complaint states. He said there were several indicators of child abuse.

During his interview with Edgell on Wednesday, LaSanta said he believed his actions caused his son's injuries and death, the complaint states.

Charges of criminal homicide and endangering the welfare of a child were filed against LaSanta on Wednesday.

Lancaster County District Attorney Craig Stedman was holding a press conference at 9:30 to discuss the investigation and subsequent charges.

Dedour Elgarhy was the boy's mother, according to newspaper records.

rrobinson@lnpnews.com

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