Exeter Police Say The 3yo Girl Known As Sophia Has Died,Beaten To Death

[Whisper]

Exeter prays for Sophia
May 11 2011

EXETER, Calif. (KFSN) -- A little Exeter girl is in grave condition at this hour. And many who gathered at a vigil are demanding justice.


Many residents are angered and even outraged at what happened to this little girl. We are not showing her picture because many residents believe this young victim was sexually abused in addition to being physically abused.

Throughout the night people stopped by the vigil for three-year-old Sophia who remains in grave condition at Children's Hospital in Madera.

A few hours earlier, dozens gathered in prayer for her at the park. Many who didn't even know her came out anyway.

Mara Alcorn said, "It's very sad. Very sad things going on and the community came together to bless the little girl."

Exeter Police say Sophia suffered head trauma inside this apartment Saturday and that her injuries are suspicious in nature.

Police also told us the child's mother and her boyfriend, are persons of interest in this case. They have not been arrested.

We caught up with the child's great grandmother at the girl's apartment complex before the vigil. She claims the boyfriend been physically abusive in the past and that the child's mother also shares the blame.

"He slapped them all the time. He whipped them all the time. But they made her lie and say that he didn't do it. She's just as much to blame as he is," said Ruth Williams. "Death is not good enough for either one of them."

Moments after our interview Williams fainted while being consoled by friends. Medics rushed to her aid and took her away.
[...]
Kristin Buick "Her smile. Her smile. She would always be like hi. And just a sweetheart an that's how I want her to be remembered not for what happened to her but I want people to remember how she was."

Besides the vigil at the park, people can go online to support baby Sophia. Vigil organizers set up a Facebook page and they've already got 500 followers.http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=8126021


The 3yo Known As Sophia Has Died

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Three-year-old Sophia, died Thursday morning at Children's Hospital Central California in Madera after suffering major head trauma on Saturday.

Exeter Police Chief, Cliff Bush said he was notified of Sophia's death Thursday morning -- and now the case is a homicide.

Police say Sophia suffered major head trauma, while inside an Exeter apartment on Saturday. Officers called her injuries, "suspicious" in nature and are investigating whether she was physically abused and possibly sexually assaulted as well. Police also say Sophia's mother and her boyfriend are "persons of interest" in the case, but no arrests have been made.

Sophia's great-grandmother claims the mother's boyfriend has been physically abusive in the past -- but she also holds Sophia's mother, responsible.

"He slapped them all the time. He whipped them all the time. But they made her lie and say that he didn't do it," said Sophia's great-grandmother Ruth Williams, "She's just as much to blame as he is. Death is not good enough for either one of them."

Wednesday night there was a vigil was held for Sophia at "Triangle Park" in Exeter. Organizers set up a Facebook page called "In Our Hearts, Baby Sophia," and as of late Thursday morning, it had over 1,700 followers.

Here are some of the emotional posts:

Maria wrote: "As I type this, tears are streaming down my face for this little girl."

Another person wrote: "Sophia we prayed all we could for you. We love you so much! We want justice!! This is so sad."

[...]http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=8126028
http://i52.tinypic.com/25hmkr5.jpg
Beautiful Sophiahttp://i53.tinypic.com/24l65gy.jpg
Sophia

Many more pics on FB get your tissues ready

♥In Our Hearts Baby Sophia♥
http://www.facebook.com/pages/In-Our-Hearts-Baby-Sophia/210542395644268#!/photo.php?fbid=210560752309099&set=pu.210542395644268&type=1&theater



http://i54.tinypic.com/1zgxb4k.jpg

R.I.P SOPHIA

[Gidget]

http://i52.tinypic.com/25hmkr5.jpg

If they didn't want her, I would have gladly taken her.

[AngelFire]

Another child taken, and again we are left with the scum. It's just not fair

[Robynne]

http://i52.tinypic.com/25hmkr5.jpg

If they didn't want her, I would have gladly taken her.

Me too, look at her sweet little face. R.I P. Little Sophia

[Whisper]

Me too, look at her sweet little face. R.I P. Little Sophia

yeah this one did me in
I walked into work just now like a moron with tears rolling down my face
Everyone thought something happened to my husband

[AngelFire]

She is just sweetness & she was a petite lil one too. Gosh for me having a little girl was amazing to me. My daughter at Sophia's age was just pure joy (lately not so much, teen you know). This is heartbreaking and the picture doesn't show a happy 3 year old.

[Parrot Toes]

We caught up with the child's great grandmother at the girl's apartment complex before the vigil. She claims the boyfriend been physically abusive in the past and that the child's mother also shares the blame.

"He slapped them all the time. He whipped them all the time. But they made her lie and say that he didn't do it. She's just as much to blame as he is," said Ruth Williams. "Death is not good enough for either one of them." You know, I feel bad for the people who DID love this little girl and all, but obviously, some knew! The great grandmother at least did. Why was nothing done to remove the girl from them? Where were the ones who loved her when she really needed them?

[Tundratot]

At least her great grandmother is not defending the monster!

[badfish76]

I think great-granny DID call and stuff and she said they had the poor baby lie.

There are mornings I get on here and I HATE reading this shit. Then I realize that these kids deserve to be heard even if it is too late. Their murderers deserve to be scorned and shames in addition to what the court is going to do.

I get frustrated with my kid, sure, I grit my teeth and tell her I will spank her (very rarely do it), send her to her room. Then I go to mine.

I look at her and I see the world. I see me and her dad. I see the absolute love of my life. I would die for her. I would kill for her.

How can anyone see anything else??

[Toxic]

How have these fucks not been arrested already? persons of interest....

who the hell else could have done this?

[ineedanap]

I was reading through the FB comments, and apparently CPS was called, but did nothing. Of course, there is no way to prove this, just throwing it out there for the benefit of the doubt for the family.

[RitzBitz]

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/devinm24/227700_2020412908465_1188204693_2453674_3849971_n. jpg


These are the animals responsible for poor Baby Sophia's murder.

[Toxic]

Id like to take this time to gice CPS a standing fucking ovation for once again proving they are a complete and utter waste of time, oxygen, and money

[princessgrandma]

Dammit. Dammit. Dammit. I get so sick of reading these stories sometimes, but I feel like I owe it to the little ones to at least acknowlege that they were here. What a beautiful little girl.

Someone needs to slap the mother and boyfriend into next week.

And CPS needs to go straight to hell. Do not pass go. Do not collect 200 dollars.

[Obsolete]

Writing the word "mob" on your neck in bubble letters is hardcore?

[RitzBitz]

This happened in the town over from me, EVERYBODY is on the lookout for these douchebags! Not sure why the police haven't arrested them yet, but I hope my husband finds them first!

The incubator and penis told the police that she was choking on a piece of PB&J sandwich, apparently that causes massive head trauma and sexual assault! She was found by paramedics on the floor NAKED! Not sure how they are going to explain that part, probably say they tried to put her in the bath. I'm sitting here listening to my 20 month old daughter walk around saying "Mommy, mommy" because she's tired. I can only image sitting by while someone beats the crap out of her while she's crying out for mommy! That's exactly what the incubator did.

[Whisper]

This happened in the town over from me, EVERYBODY is on the lookout for these douchebags! Not sure why the police haven't arrested them yet, but I hope my husband finds them first!

The incubator and penis told the police that she was choking on a piece of PB&J sandwich, apparently that causes massive head trauma and sexual assault! She was found by paramedics on the floor NAKED! Not sure how they are going to explain that part, probably say they tried to put her in the bath. I'm sitting here listening to my 20 month old daughter walk around saying "Mommy, mommy" because she's tired. I can only image sitting by while someone beats the crap out of her while she's crying out for mommy! That's exactly what the incubator did.

good then your nice and close to keep us updated lol
I want these freaks dead and hope to hell hes stupid enough to engage in a standoff with cops

[Tundratot]

Her name was Sophia Acosta.


Officers first arrived at an Exeter apartment complex in the 800 block of West Visalia Road on Saturday afternoon. They found three people — Sophia's mother, Erica Smith, the mother's boyfriend, Christopher Cheary, and a neighbor, Karen Bibee — all trying to help the toddler, who lay naked and lifeless on the apartment floor.
. . .
Saturday's visit by police was the third time they'd been called to the home in regards to Sophia, Bush said. An incident report was taken once and two investigations remain active, he said. Officers had also been called out to the apartment two other times, for a domestic dispute and assault at the apartment, both unrelated to Sophia, police said.

Neighbors said they'd seen Tulare County Child Protective Services at the toddler's home several times in the last year, though that could not be verified by CPS as of Thursday. An 18-month-old girl was taken from the apartment by CPS after Saturday's incident, according to Bibee, the neighbor.http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/article/20110513/NEWS01/105130313

"She would always try to creep on me and be like, daddy, and try to chase me around. She was just always happy. She always had a smile on her face," Obediah Acosta, Sophia's father, said. . . .

Obediah says his ex-girlfriend, Erika, had full custody of their two daughters, Sophia, 3, and Alexa, 16 months.

He says he never had any reason to believe anything was wrong.

"The impression I was getting was yeah, they were fine. Nothing was wrong. Everything was going good. The boyfriend was a good guy. That's what I was getting," Acosta said.

He says even when he found out Alexa broke her leg, there seemed to be a simple excuse.

"I checked to see what happened, and they just said that she fell," he said.

But, he says, those excuses seemed like exactly that, excuses, last weekend, when Sophia was rushed to the hospital unconscious.

"The story that I was getting was that she was choking on her food, on peanut butter and jelly when she was asleep," Acosta said. . . .

"I wasn't in their lives a lot. It came down to this to happen. I just feel so bad," Acosta said.http://www.kmph.com/story/14638356/baby-sophias-father-speaks-out-to-kmph-news

[RitzBitz]

good then your nice and close to keep us updated lol
I want these freaks dead and hope to hell hes stupid enough to engage in a standoff with cops

I hope he's that stupid too! I will defiantly keep this one updated. We live in a small town and it's all over the news. I'm sure it will be breaking news when they arrest them.

[RitzBitz]

I hope this is some indication of the sentence the douches will get! Same courthouse that will probably prosecute this case.

"Aeron Grenfell, 34, of Lindsay was sentenced Thursday to 138 years to life in state prison for 14 counts of molesting two girls under the age of 14, according to a news release from the Tulare County’s district attorney’s office.

Because some of Grenfell’s convictions are considered violent felonies, he will have to serve 85 percent of his prison term before being eligible for parole, the release stated.

The case was prosecuted by Melissa Chabra, deputy district attorney, and investigated by Detective Paul Gezzer of the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department as well as Brandon Hall, investigator for the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigations."

http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/article/20110513/NEWS01/110513006/Lindsay-man-convicted-rape-molestation-sentenced-138-years-life-prison?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage

[cubby]

How does a 16 month old fall hard enough to break a leg? Sophia will be helping her sister get away from these abusing POS. I wish they both could have gotten away.

[Obsolete]

How does a 16 month old fall hard enough to break a leg? Sophia will be helping her sister get away from these abusing POS. I wish they both could have gotten away.

In a normal situation? By twisting it when they fall. It happens more often than one would think. In THIS situaton...probably by getting the shit beat out of her by the adults who were suppose to be loving and caring for her.

[Whisper]

I have pics of Heaven in black and white wearing a hat like that at prob the same age and thats what killed me lastnight
I have them framed in the diningroom and can see them from here
I have them of Case too with the bowlero kinda hats and Sophia reminded me of Heaven

[Whisper]

3-year-old Sophia Acosta was failed. She was failed by her mother, who should have protected her and didn’t. She was failed by her live-in baby sitter, who should have protected her and didn’t. She was failed by CPS, who was reportedly called and did nothing. So much failure, as we all know so well, equals death.

Sophia was taken to Hospital Central California in Madera after suffering major head trauma in the apartment she shared with her mother, her mother’s boyfriend, a younger sibling and her baby sitter on Saturday. Her injuries got the best of her… She died last night after being removed from life support. Police are calling the injuries “suspicious” (YA THINK??) and there are reports that little Sophia may have also been sexually abused. Her mother and the swinging piece of meat that occupied the vast space between her thighs are “people of interest”, but have yet to be arrested.

Family members are speaking out. Sophia’s great-grandmother, Ruth Williams, claims that the swinging piece of meat was physically abusive, but she holds the gestations device responsible as well (GG has her wits about her, I see).

“He slapped them all the time. He whipped them all the time. But they made her lie and say that he didn’t do it,” Williams told reporters, “She’s just as much to blame as he is. Death is not good enough for either one of them.”

Sophia’s 1 ½ year old sister has been placed in CPS custody. I hope that the monsters responsible for the murder of this beautiful little angel get what’s coming to them… and fast.
[...]
http://badbreeders.net/

http://i52.tinypic.com/25kpjzc.jpg

Sophia

[Claire Shaw Duncan]

Update on the scumbag who abused the little girl sophia!, just new here so dont know if i have done this correct! Soz

http://www.cbs47.tv/news/local/story/Exeter-Boyfriend-Speaks-Out-About-Childs-Death/8EwLQAnRAEOHMB9pAOQmKQ.cspx


Exeter Boyfriend Speaks Out About Child's Death

"I would never touch that little girl. I love her more than I love myself," Chris Cheary told us.

The man who's faced accusations he killed a three-year-old Exeter girl speaks exclusively to CBS47.

20-year-old Chris Cheary says he discovered Sophia Acosta unconscious nearly ten days ago in the apartment he shared with his girlfriend, Erica Smith, and her children - including Sophia and her sister.

Exeter Police have said that Cheary and Sophia's mother are persons of interest in the case.

We met Cheary at a park in Tulare County. He fears for his safety and doesn't want people to know where he is staying. He wanted to tell his side of the story - about what happened the day Sophia was found critically injured.

"We were downstairs smoking heroin. And I had smoked some pot. And that's all we were really doing. And the girls were upstairs sleeping," Chris Cheary told us during an interview.

Cheary said he and his girlfriend, Erica Smith, were doing drugs in the apartment they shared the afternoon of Saturday, May 7th. He believed three-year-old Sophia Acosta was asleep in her bed. Chris said he heard a sound and went to check on the little girl.

"I found her on the ground next to the bed. And she had vomit and she was knocked out like she was unconscious with her eyes open," Cheary said.

He says he cleaned Sophia up in the tub, splashed her with cold water, while the child's mother ran for help.

Cheary says there was a miniature metal shopping cart next to Sophia's bed. He believes Sophia hit her head on the cart.

"That was exactly at the head of the bed, on the floor where her head was. And she was still wrapped in the blanket and so it seemed like she had rolled off or fell somehow," Cheary said.

After days in the hospital, Sophia died at Children's Hospital in Madera late Wednesday night. An autopsy showed she died from blunt force trauma to the head. Exeter Police have questioned Chris and Sophia's mother, Erica Smith, Chris's girlfriend. Erica's family blames Chris for the child's death,

Sophia's great-grandmother Ruth Williams said at a vigil last week "As God is my witness, it's him. I know it in my heart."

Exeter police said they didn't know if Sophia was molested. But said they discovered suspicious injuries that required more testing.

I asked Chris if he had anything to do with Sophia's death:

Kathryn: "Did you kill Sophia?

Cheary: "No"

Kathryn: "Did you beat her?"

Cheary: "I've never laid hands on her to harm her."

Kathryn: "Did you molest Sophia?"

Cheary: "No, I would never touch Sophia. I loved her more than anything."

To those who believe he killed Sophia:

"I would honestly give my life for that little girl to be alive. I would gladly switch places with Sophia in a heartbeat," Cheary said.

Cheary admits he's been a heroin addict for the last six years. He says he checked himself into rehab last week but was kicked out because of the police investigation into Sophia's death.

We contacted Exeter police for an update on the case, but we were unable to reach anyone this evening.

[carolinablue]

Well, in addition to the killer bathtubs, couches, stairs, wall and floors, we can add killer toys. Bastard son of a whore, we know what you did, you're not getting over on anyone.

[AngelFire]

He deserves the most and vicious death that anyone can think of.

Use instruments to finish him off, I don't care I have no ill feelings by wishing this. These two heinous twats have lost all humanity, all feelings. I can't even stand to know that they may live out the rest of their putrid lives in prison. Even if the existence is bleak, they get to live while Sophia rots 6 feet under. I hope a mob finds them, an angry burly mob.

[redsaid]

"I would honestly give my life for that little girl to be alive. I would gladly switch places with Sophia in a heartbeat," Cheary said.




Yeah I bet he'd give anything to be dead right now instead of the babe. I'd give anything to see him dead too.

[Silvahalo]

Sophia reminds me so much like a little girl I knew a long time ago.
That child went on to recover and lead a pretty good life...I know her well today.

Sophia was a light amongst a dark backdrop of abuse. People capable of such a thing to a child are not worthy of life.
Their time will come and I do hope they will pay dearly for stealing her life away.

You were a ray of sunshine littlest Sophia....the world is a darker place without you.
http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s341/silvahalo68/Fallen%20angels/FallenAngels2/SophiaAcosta.jpg

[RitzBitz]

Apparently, these two are hiding out in a church. The police know where they are, they are waiting until they get enough evidence to make an arrest. I personally want them to do a thorough job, I don't want these two killers to get off on a technicality.

[Claire Shaw Duncan]

any updates on this case yet?

[Tundratot]

Exeter Police Chief Cliff Bush tells Action News new DNA tests were taken to Fresno where they'll be analyzed to see if Sophia may have been sexually abused. http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=8136569
Sophia's great-grandmother watched our interview with Chris Cheary. "He can lie on tv all he wants to. But he's looking around his back, making sure nobody's after him. He's a liar from the pits of hell," said Ruth Williams, Sophia's great-grandmother. . . .

But she insists her granddaughter was a good mother. She says she asked Ericka to stop seeing Cheary.

"If she had done what I told her to do, asked her to do, begged her to do, this never would have happened. And that's the blame I put on Ericka," Williams said.

Cheary told us he fears for his safety. Williams said - he should. "You bet ya he does. You bet ya. Every gang member in Tulare County is looking for him," according to Williams.

Why are gang members looking for him? Williams says Sophia's biological father was a gang member in Tulare Countyhttp://www.cbs47.tv/news/local/story/Sophias-Family-Responds-to-Boyfriends-Interview/FhadyX75HkOnQbn0kvJoOA.cspx
Mother and daughter Carolyn and Shannon Johnson also attended the vigil. The two saw Sophia’s mother Erika Smith days after Sophia was hospitalized.

“She said they had rushed Sophia to the hospital because she had choked on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but it was confusing because she said they had bathed her before they took her to the hospital,” said Carolyn. “I just couldn’t believe she was telling me all this. I wouldn’t be standing there if my child was in the hospital. I’d be at my baby’s side.”

Great grandmother Ruth Williams said she believes Smith’s boyfriend Chris Cherry is responsible for Sophia’s death. Williams said after Smith began dating Cherry in November she noticed several suspicious things including bruises and bumps, as well as the fact that Sophia didn’t want to return home.

“She’d beg and plead to stay with me and say ‘can I just stay with you, I don’t want to go home,” said Williams. “I asked her if he [Cherry] ever hit her and she said once he did. But I noticed bruises on both girls regularly.”

Williams said she called the police multiple times, begged Smith to leave Cherry and is upset that CPS did not remove the children from the apartment. Williams said the suspicions reached a boiling point when she and Cherry had an altercation a week before Sophia was hospitalized. It was here that Williams said Cherry pulled a knife on her. Williams said she has not spoken with Erika or her daughter since Sophia’s death.http://www.thesungazette.com/articles/2011/05/18/news/news01.txt

Ruth Williams is not afraid of too much exposure. She's everywhere.

[KyFyre]

For once, I'm actually kind of rooting for some gang justice, though I'm normally against gang violence. It will take years for them to even try this weasel in court, and even then he'll probably get a slap on the wrist because junkie egg donor will lie for him as she has been doing. Gang justice will be swift and final. One less baby killer on the streets.

Wonder if he really thinks he's safe hiding in that church. He's gotta go out sometime.

Love the great-grandmas feisty spirit. She'll be baby girls voice, something her mother should have been but failed to be. I think he should be more afraid of her than the gang members, cause something tells me if she sees him he's not going to have a chance to do anymore running and hiding.

[Claire Shaw Duncan]

I hope to god someone gets him because he deserves it, i see there are still no arrests!!

[MadeaBecBec]

EXETER — Police Chief Cliff Bush sat at his home computer this week and looked through dozens of Facebook comments and photos dedicated to a 3-year-old girl who died more than two weeks ago.



"The feelings are so strong that they drive us to not give up," Bush said. "Our detectives have worked hundreds of hours, but we're not going to rush this."


http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011105270331

[Claire Shaw Duncan]

OMG!!!!! theres an update on this case, chris cheary arrested. I feel sick at the charges he has been arrested for!

Cheary is being held in the Tulare County Jail without bail. He faces the following charges:

Cruelty to a child by inflicting injury
Forcible lewd acts on a child
Sodomy
Murder (with special allegation: torture)


Thursday, June 2nd 11:00 p.m.

Exeter Police have arrested 20-year-old Chris Cheary for the death of 3-year-old Sophia Acosta.

Last month, Cheary spoke exclusively with CBS47 and denied having anything to do with Sophia's Death. In that interview, Cheary admitted that he and Sophia's mother were smoking heroin and pot while Sophia was asleep in another room.

Cheary claims Sophia rolled out of bed and hit her head on a metal object, which lead to her death.

Police have a different theory, which is why they continued to investigate the couple. They arrested Cheary in Stanislaus County Thursday night. He was taken into custody without incident.

[princessgrandma]

I knew the sorry waste of skin did it. They both deserve LWOP and to be put in genpop where they can be reminded each and every day of what they have done to this little angel. Any woman who chooses a man over her children is no mother. You know damned well she knew what he was doing to her daughter. She just didn't care, as long as she was getting the drugs she wanted and had a man around.

Rolled out of bed, my ass. Where did the "lewd acts on a child" and "sodomy" come from? Did the metal object do THAT too??

[Bohring]

Shit, man, I was hoping the gangs would get him first.

[Claire Shaw Duncan]

He said he put the baby in the bath to try to waken her up! more like he put her in the bath to clean her after he battered and raped her. My god sodomy on a baby!!! WTF how can someone do that with a baby screaming? and how can a mother be that out of her mind on drugs to not hear that? She is disgusting the vilest piece of shit to walk the earth.

They reackon if convicted he may face the death penalty, junkie baby raping asshole!

I bet he was messing about with this baby for a long time! only this time he raped her to death and beat her to keep her quiet!

Poor baby only wanted loved and taken care of, a neighbour said she used to say "hi" to everyone who passed, heartbreaking.

[Whisper]

Bit more detail


FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Christopher Cheary will face murder and sexual assault charges in the Sophia Acosta child murder case.

Three weeks after a young South Valley girl was brutally beaten to death, police have arrested the boyfriend of the child's mother.

Friday, the Tulare County District Attorney's office said Christopher Rey Cheary will be arraigned on Monday, June 6th at 1:10 p.m. Cheary will face charges of murder, felony assault on a child causing death, sodomy on a child under 14 years old, and felony sodomy.

Exeter Police arrested 20-year old Christopher Cheary around 6 p.m. Thursday night in Stanislaus County. Cheary is accused in the murder of three-year-old Sophia Acosta last month. He was escorted by officers to be booked in the Tulare County Jail early Friday morning.

The reaction has been strong in the town of Exeter which has been the scene of numerous vigils since this crime first came to light. When they heard news of Chris Cheary's arrest, several community and family members gathered at Triangle Park to light candles and at the police station to hear what detectives had to say about the case.

Sophia Acosta's great grandmother was overcome with emotion when she heard Chris Cheary, Acosta's mother's live-in boyfriend, had been arrested for the three-year-old's murder.

"She loved me and I loved her and she never wanted to go home she wanted to stay with me all the time and until he come along she was at my house every day," said Ruth Williams, Sophia's great grandmother, "I'm happy they arrested him that's where he belongs but it's only just begun."

News of the arrest spread quickly around a town waiting weeks for justice for the little girl.

"I'm not shocked because we knew it... it's upsetting, still it's one closer to justice, one step closer," said Cheyenne McDonald of Exeter.

Exeter Police officers found Sophia Acosta unresponsive in an Exeter apartment on May 7th. She died four-days later in Children's Hospital in Madera County. Autopsy results show she was physically abused. Investigators are still waiting on lab results to see if she may have been sexually abused as well.

Family members had been notified a day before that an arrest was planned. "We had people stomping their feet want an arrest... We'd much rather a good arrest than a quick arrest," said family member Nick Williams.

Exeter Police thanked the family and the community for their patience all along. "We did an intense investigation... that's why it took so long. We thank the public and the City of Exeter for being patient with us, and the family for being patient with us, while we did our investigation," said Sgt. Celis Rabena.

Sophia's mother, Erika Smith, remains a person of interest in this case.

Community members will be gathering here in Triangle Park once again Friday night at 6 p.m. to hold another candlelight vigil. They hope the gathering and this arrest brings a sense of closure for the South Valley city.

Sophia Acosta's father, Obie Acosta, came to Exeter once he heard the news of Chris Cheary's arrest. "Right now there's a lot of emotions going through my head. Right now and just to know that he's right here, it's kind of getting to me but I'm just glad that they got him in custody already."

Obie said he and Sophia's mother, Erika Smith, have another child together. That child remains with Child Protective Services.
[..]http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=8167824&hpt=ju_bn6

[Whisper]

Cheary Could Face DP In Sophias Case

[...]
The criminal complaint against Christopher Cheary reveals he is facing four felony counts including murder and sexual assault. Some of the charges carry special allegations that mean he could face the death penalty if he's convicted.

The district attorney's office has also filed a charge of murder with a special allegation that Cheary tortured Sophia Acosta. Investigators say the "torture" allegation refers to the number of injuries the three-year-old sustained.
[...]http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=8169971

[MadeaBecBec]

You can see bruising on Sophia and Alexa in these photos:
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff307/MadeaBecBec/Mugshots/Victims/SophiaAcosta-righteyehealing-showingherteeth-.jpg
Her right eye, especially, it appears to be healing. I'm not sure if she's showing her teeth, or a busted lip.

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff307/MadeaBecBec/Mugshots/Victims/Sophia-AlexaAcosta-marksontheirfaces.jpg
Same day as the above (it seems) but Alexa is more injured here.

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff307/MadeaBecBec/Mugshots/Victims/SophiaAcosta-closeup-daybeforekilled.jpg
This photo is reportedly the day before she was beaten, which would've been May 6, 2011. When you magnify this photo you can see that she has another black eye, makeup covers most of it...

Egg-donor and penis had their photos made, too! That one is at the beginning of this thread....

[MadeaBecBec]

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff307/MadeaBecBec/Mugshots/ChristopherChearyarrestedforfelonysodomy-murderindeathofSophiaAcosta.jpg
Christopher "MOB" Cheary-mugshot

It's a wonder he didn't fly to another country, in his escape, with those ears.....

[Tundratot]

Somebody broke that f***er's nose once. He's got a low brow. And a purty mouth. Next time we see him, 10 - 1 he'll have chin pubes.

[misssmartypants]

Tundratot - god, Im sorry, but whats the deal with chin pubes? What is it that it symbolizes? lol! Im serious!

Oh, and little Sophia is showing off her silver capped teeth, which is usually done when the baby teeth are injured or rotting.
Just looking at those photos pisses me off.

[misssmartypants]

5950 Is that a patch of hair missing?!!! omg.

[Mommyof2]

It obvious this so called mother cared more about drugs than she did her children.

[Tundratot]

Tundratot - god, Im sorry, but whats the deal with chin pubes? What is it that it symbolizes? lol! Im serious!

Oh, and little Sophia is showing off her silver capped teeth, which is usually done when the baby teeth are injured or rotting.
Just looking at those photos pisses me off.
We have noticed that an inordinant number of these child abusers, killers, molesters seem to have funky facial hair. Many who didn't before, grow it in jail. The ones who grow it in jail, we surmise, are growing it for the "pleasure" of their sugar daddies.

[Tundratot]

5950 Is that a patch of hair missing?!!! omg.

It does look that way.

[misssmartypants]

Tundratot , this is making me queasy. The other photo has her bangs slightly off it seems to cover that missing hair. man, I could not imagine snatching a chunk of hair from a kids head. You know that had to hurt. It hurts me to look at it.
Chris robbed her little sister, her family and the world. Mom is certainly not any better. The world is different now, and can help a mother leave an abuser. At least in the US. She just looked at her baby everyday, saw the pain, and ignored it. I dont know how.

[Tundratot]

misssmartypants It's awful what these mothers can "overlook". I have found in myself, though, that denial can be an amazingly strong force. I guess that's what they do. Deny. They want to believe the BS excuses -- "oh, she fell over the couch, hair got caught in a crack" or some other ridiculous story. They want to believe that the guy is "all that" and that their lives are so much more fulfilled with the guy in it. They want to believe that the bad boy is being reformed by their love and he's going to protect them and love their kids, and provide free babysitting. They can't see the forest for the trees.

[Courts29]

Omg!!! These babies look like ghosts in those photos and they also look like they have lost the will to live! Sophia teeth are a disgrace why the hell did the authority's not do anything when they seen them? They clearly look like abused children. Her eyes look so sad I am shaking with anger I cannot believe the amount of evil there is in this world. Chris cheary is a disgusting animal and the most is just as guilty. The only good thing out of this story is the young baby is away from those two animals.

[Courts29]

Update

Little Sophia's Babysitter says she witnessed the Abuse
Posted: Jun 04, 2011 2:16 AM EDT


By Norma Yuriar

Tulare County, Calif. (KMPH News) – KMPH news is learning new details into what happened inside the home where Exeter Police say 3–year–old Sophia Acosta was murdered.

Little Sophia's former baby–sitter is speaking out about the abuse she says she witnessed.

"I'd seen him spank her really hard and I talked to Sophia's mom about that," Vega said. "She didn't listen."

This latest revelation comes one day after Exeter Police arrested the mother's boyfriend, 20–year–old Christopher Cheary.

He's accused of killing Sophia in May.

According to the criminal complaint obtained by KMPH news – Cheary faces charges of first–degree murder with special circumstances including torture, sodomy and lewd acts with a child.

Dozens of people gathered Friday night at Triangle Park in Exeter to light candles in memory of Sophia.

A giant Pine tree decorated with flowers, candles and stuffed animals has become common ground for many in the small and tight–knit community.

"I brought candles and I brought flowers... I figured red for love," Lynn Charron said.

Sophia's murder also touched the heart of 18–year–old Carly Vega.

She says she baby–sat little Sophia and her little sister Alexa.

"Sophia had black eyes...she said her butt hurt. She would always be scared and say... don't tell my daddy."

Vega says Sophia referred to her mother's boyfriend as her "daddy".

Exeter police arrested Cheary Thursday night in Stanislaus County that's about 145 miles from the Exeter apartment where investigators say the little girl was brutally beaten to death and sexually assaulted.

"You can only run so far but you are going to get caught," Exeter resident Carolyn Johnson said.

Sophia's biological father Obediah Acosta attended Friday's community vigil.

Sophia's mother Erika smith did not.

"I haven't spoke to Erika at all," Acosta said. "I have nothing to say to her."

Exeter police still consider Smith a ‘person of interest'.

"I talked to Erika about some of the stuff I saw and she didn't listen," added Vega. "They tried to blame some stuff on me about blood in the baby's diaper when the 1–year–old got a broken leg."

Vega says she met Smith in December 2011 and stopped baby sitting the girls in April.

"I couldn't stay there because he put his hands on me... he was pushing on me and stuff," Vega said. "He didn't want anyone around. He wanted to put them in solitude."

[Tundratot]

Gee, Vega, did you report the bastard at all? For harassing and molesting you or for child abuse? No? Oh, well, at least you had the gumption to mention the abuse to good for nothing Erika . . . who promptly shrugged it off. But really, did you try to save those girls or did you just run away and leave them in that situation? I think we know the answer.

[Robynne]

Sophia teeth are a disgrace why the hell did the authority's not do anything when they seen them?

Actually having tooth decay at that age in front is usually caused by milk rot. (when a child is put to sleep with bottle of milk all the time) When a child has milk rot, a dentist usually drills, fills, and caps the baby teeth so they don't destroy the adult teeth. This is not considered abuse. They can't do anything, she took her child to the dentist to have the matter taken care of.

This is why I never put my children to bed with a bottle of milk.

[Courts29]

Blood in the babys diaper? wonder if this was the little sister? if so he was obviously messing about with her as well! sick bastard!

[Whisper]

Im not sure if shes missing hair or not it kinda looks like a headband too(a thick brown one)

[misssmartypants]

WTF? I swear, if I saw a child with black eyes, witnessed beatings on that child, and whatever monstrosities, I wouldnt just abandoned that kid. If telling the mom didnt get anywhere, for fucks sake, go to the police. Oh, Carly Vega, you left because the step-dad put his hands on YOU. Those babies meant nothing to you. This isnt about hindsight, this is indifference and selfishness and 15 minutes of fame. I hope it backfires.

[Jerri Blank]

I'm just catching up with this appalling case and I am just sickened!!

This little girl was a living doll. It's hard to imagine anyone having the capacity to harm her in any way.
Only a real monster could kill this sweet baby.

Rest in peace Sophia Maria :-(
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/7867/unled1bd.jpg

[redsaid]

poor babies. black eyes all around.

'someone' should have put a stop to this...... Boy am I riled up over this one. I think it's the pics. I don't trust cops all that much but I sure as hell know when to call them. I mean jeeze, if I see a kid getting disciplined in the store I covertly hang around to make sure it doesn't get outta hand.

[Whisper]

Man charged in Exeter murder pleads not guilty
Read more: http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/06/06/2417132/man-charged-in-exeter-murder-pleads.html#ixzz1OYDmg6Ox

[Valasca]

The man accused in the rape and murder of a three-year-old Exeter girl was involved in a fight before his court date.
20-year-old Chris Cheary is facing charges of murder, sexual assault, and torture for the death of his girlfriend's daughter, Sophia Acosta, last month.

The Tulare County Sheriff's office says Cheary and three other inmates got into some sort of physical altercation Thursday morning.

They were being transported from the Visalia main jail to the courthouse at the time. Two deputies were injured in the scuffle, but not seriously. The inmates declined medical attention.

Thursday's court date was postponed after the disturbance. Cheary faces a possible death sentence if convicted. He's pleaded "not guilty".

http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=8195904&hpt=ju_bn6

[BlueAngel]

What a beautiful little girl! My heart aches when I think about the viciousness with which she was treated and the terror she must have lived in. Damn her mother for not loving her enough to make her and her little sister safe.

[Courts29]

Good glad he got jumped by the other inmates hope he is terrified and is someone's bitch in jail. In America are inmates put in general population until sentenced? This guy will prob be protected no doubt I hope his ass gets raped everyday for the rest of his sad life. Same for the bitch mother, why has she not been arrested? These two are animals.

[Courts29]

Chris cheary FB private http://www.facebook.com/people/Christopher-Cheary/100002478368302

[Courts29]

soz his ms from a while ago! does look like he was taking heroin in that MS page

http://www.myspace.com/dont_trip_fool/comments

[Courts29]

Just heard that his case has been rescheduled again to the 14th of july at 8.30 as he has no defense! People are saying that no wants to represent him!!! You know your f*%$d when a lawyer wont represent you!

[Tundratot]

I'm actually surprised that doesn't happen more often. Then again, maybe it does and the court has to mandate someone to defend these pubic-crawling insects.

[Courts29]

I'm actually surprised that doesn't happen more often. Then again, maybe it does and the court has to mandate someone to defend these pubic-crawling insects.

Yeah thats what they are saying, they are going to have to make someone defend him! The poor person who gets made to defend him will be living a nightmare!

[Courts29]

http://www.kmph-kfre.com/story/14850937/sophia-acostas-former-babysitter-explains-what-she-saw

Sophia Acosta's Former Babysitter Explains What She Saw
Posted: Jun 07, 2011 3:01 AM EDT


By Monty Torres

Carly Vega is carrying a heavy burden.

"I should have done something," she sobbed. "I should have told Nana more. I should have."

The former babysitter for Sophia Acosta is wracked with remorse over what happened to Sophia and what she says she did not say soon enough. She's also tormented by what she says she saw happen to Sophia's baby sister Alexis as well.

"She (Sophia's mother, Erika Smith), says there's blood in the baby's diaper and I said that's not right they don't bleed on their own."

It's a terrible description of unusual injuries to a one year-old girl.

"Erika was checking her out and, [asked], is this supposed to look like this?"

Blood, and bruising in private areas, and broken bones, injuries Carly Vega attributes to Chris Cheary.

"I told her he's spanking her way too hard," Vega remembered.

For five months Vega was babysitter to both Sophia and Alexis. Several times a week, week after week she spent with the two little girls, even staying over night at the family's house.

She was also in a position to see what few others could, even becoming at one point, she says, the target of Cheary's angry, violent outbursts, herself.

"He put his hands on me. He started pushing on me. I started trying to run out the door and he tried to kick my legs out from under me and then he blocked the door and wouldn't let me out."

She also remembers Sophia's pleas.

"She's all, please don't tell my daddy she's always please don't tell my daddy. Erika had her call him [Chris Cheary], daddy."

On the day of Cheary's arraignment for sexual abuse, torture and murder in Sophia's death, those pleas haunt her still.

"I was crying and Sophia's, all don't cry Carly. I love you."

She's told her story before, Vega says, but not powerfully enough, not detailed enough, not clearly enough and not in time to save Sophia. Now, for Sophia, and Alexis, Vega says she won't make that mistake again.

Carly Vega says she plans to share more details about what she saw and heard with Exeter police Tuesday.

[Tundratot]

I have very little pity for you, dear. You're right. You should have done something much sooner. Ignoring that child's pleas, the babies injuries, your own abuse at Cheary's hands -- there's really no good excuse. Make this work at court. Redeem yourself.

[AngelFire]

Tundratot, I agree with you too. What she witnessed was not a spanking, it was not discipline, it was torture. hope it does haunt her, it should. So why now after Sofia's death, after she was raped & beaten to death, is she coming out now and telling? So we will feel sympathy for her? I have compassion for the children, not stupid adults that sit and wait until a wee one has lost their fight, and died.

[Robynne]

I think I found Carly's FB. If so, it says she just graduated. It also says that she did say something, but didn't push the issue. Maybe she figured that if no one was listening, it was pointless.

Yep, it's her. She is sporting a PicBadge of Sophia.

[Tundratot]

Only one witness was called to the stand during the April 5 preliminary hearing of Christopher Rey Cheary, the man accused of raping and killing his live-in girlfriend’s 3-year-old daughter. The witness, Dr. Phillip Hyden of Children’s Hospital Central California, shared the police department’s sentiment during redirect with Deputy District Attorney David Alavezos.

. . .

Hyden said he spoke to Sophia’s mother, Erica Smith, who told him that Sophia had fallen down a stairway “two days ago” and fell onto a plastic toy shopping cart “today,” referring to the day she was taken to the hospital. Hyden said Sophia was supposedly injured around 4 p.m. on May 7 and he examined her between midnight and 2 a.m. on May 8.

Hyden said after her arrival at Children’s Hospital, Sophia was completely unresponsive and “being kept alive by the ventilator” when he examined her. She was bleeding from her mouth and private regions from “not an accidental trauma.”

“That means that these injuries weren’t self-inflicted by the child or caused by any type of normal childhood accident,” Hyden explained.

In addition to the bleeding, Hyden said Sophia’s brain showed a lack of oxygen and blood flow consistent with “shaking plus impact” and had bruises on her scalp and underneath her scalp and abdomen. Hyden said a urine test showed signs of marijuana in her system.

Hyden said, “I believe this child was sexually assaulted. I believe this child was struck in the abdomen. I can’t tell you if it was one or two times because the injuries are in different places but it probably was two times. And also was subjected to severe accelerated forces and an impact and maybe multiple impacts because of the different planes of injury on the head from someone exerted a tremendous violent force on this child and in a repetitive manner ultimately causing her death.”

During cross examination, Deputy Public Defender Bill Meuting pointed out there were no signs of DNA enzymes found during the rape kit conducted by Dr. Hyden. However, Hyden said that would not rule out sexual abuse for various reasons. Meuting also asked Hyden if the bruising on her abdomen could have been caused by an untrained person attempting CPR.

“This is a blunt impact,” Hyden said. “It’s not due to compression.”

During Alavezos’ recross examination, he asked Hyden if there was anything to indicate a history of violence. Hyden said during his conversation with Sophia’s mother at Children’s Hospital, Smith admitted there was a history of domestic violence but said Cheary had never harmed Sophia. However, we asked about their sexual relationship, Hyden said Smith revealed that she thought Cheary “could have done this to the child.”

“She also said that if he did do this, she never wanted him to be around the kid again and never wanted to see him again,” Hyden continued.

. . .

http://www.thesungazette.com/articles/2012/04/18/news/news01.txt