Toddler Beaten to Death for World Cup Crying

McALLEN, Texas (AP) _ A south Texas man has been charged with capital murder for allegedly beating his 2-year-old stepdaughter to death when she wouldn’t stop crying as he watched a World Cup match.

A McAllen police spokesman says 27-year-old Hector Castro of McAllen was charged Monday night after his Saturday arrest. Sgt. Joel Morales says Castro remains in custody with bond set at $1 million.

Police Chief Victor Rodriguez says Castro told investigators that the toddler wouldn’t stop crying while he was trying to watch the U.S.-Ghana matchup on Saturday.

Rodriguez says the child was severely beaten and suffered several broken ribs. Police said a screw or bolt was forced down her throat in an apparent attempt to make it look like she choked to death.

McAllen is near the U.S.-Mexico border at the southern tip of Texas.

More News