Dad admits stabbing 2 daughters to death in failed abduction (Corona, California)

Dad AMADO ESQUEDA has pleaded guilty to stabbing to death his two daughters, ages 6 and 2 months, earlier this year. Mom was also stabbed, but survived. The parents were "estranged" when Dad walked into her residence and threatened to abduct the six year old. He then started stabbing her, and then attacked the baby and the mom. Another grim reminder that would-be father abductors are not usually looking for quality bonding time.

http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_S_webplea.1ee5230.html

Corona dad admits killing young daughters

10:59 PM PDT on Wednesday, August 26, 2009

By SONJA BJELLAND
The Press-Enterprise

A mother who witnessed her husband stab their two young daughters to death earlier this year stood in court Wednesday and asked why.

Irene Salcido, who was also stabbed, said she was confused and only got up to be in court when her estranged husband, Amado Esqueda, 39, pleaded guilty and was sentenced.

"I want to look at you in the eyes and ask you why," Salcido said in Spanish.

She said she receives letters from him now but does not get an answer.

"I forgive him for my physical injuries, but my injuries to my soul, I'll never forgive him for that," she said through a court translator.

Esqueda pleaded guilty Wednesday to murdering the children and attempting to murder Salcido. Superior Court Judge Janice McIntyre sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

On the morning of May 9, Esqueda walked in to his former residence on Via Paraiso in Corona where his wife, and daughters Casandra, 6, and Natalie, 2 months, lived, according to court records.

Esqueda stood at the bedroom door with Casandra. He yelled at his wife that he was going to take his daughter with him. Salcido told him to not take the girl and then Esqueda took a knife from his pocket and stabbed his daughter.

He then approached the bed where Salcido was sleeping with her infant daughter and he began stabbing Natalie.

Esqueda then stabbed Salcido as she tried to stop him from stabbing their child.

Salcido got out of bed and followed Esqueda, who then stabbed each daughter several more times.

Esqueda then stabbed himself and jumped over the stair railing to the living room.

Police found a bloody knife at the grisly crime scene.

Deputy Public Defender Aimee Vierra said Esqueda did not want his daughters left behind if he committed suicide.

"From the moment he awoke from that delusion he has been very sorrowful," Vierra said.

She said Esqueda always wanted to plead guilty. By pleading guilty and not taking the case to trial, Esqueda was able to receive life in prison because the district attorney's office had not yet determined if it would seek the death penalty, she said.

"So you've agreed to be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole," Judge McIntyre asked Esqueda.

"Yes," he said through a translator.