Additional Coverage:
Drums, Pennsylvania – A 39-year-old foster father, Cesar Delgadillo, is facing homicide charges following the death of a 13-year-old boy in his care. Police allege the boy was brutally beaten over an extended period, culminating in his death. Delgadillo is also charged with child endangerment, tampering with evidence, and obstruction.
His wife, 34-year-old Virginia Delgadillo, faces multiple counts of child endangerment and corruption of minors, as well as one count of evidence tampering. The couple’s four other foster children, ranging in age from five to 16, are now in state care.
Police were called to the Delgadillo residence in Drums on Monday morning. Upon arrival, they found the 13-year-old victim with numerous injuries. He was transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital in Hazleton but pronounced dead on arrival.
According to police, home security footage reveals a disturbing scene. The video allegedly shows Delgadillo assaulting the boy, even forcing a backscratcher into his mouth.
Disturbingly, the footage also appears to show some of the other foster children attempting to clean blood from the floor. A police affidavit cited by local news described “large amounts of blood” visible in the video.
Two of the other children reportedly alerted Virginia Delgadillo to the unresponsive boy on Monday morning, prompting her to call 911.
The Delgadillos are scheduled for court appearances later this month. The investigation is ongoing.