8-year-old son dies; dad may face charges in addition to child abuse (Sacramento, California)

Dad is identified as ROBERT B. BONNARD.

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Sacramento 8 year old dies; father facing child abuse charges

Submitted by News10 Web Staff
Thursday, September 6th, 2012, 3:42pm

SACRAMENTO, CA - The 8-year-son of a Sacramento man arrested on child abuse charges last month has died.

The Sacramento County coroner said Eshawn Bonnard passed away Wednesday afternoon. Sacramento County sheriff's spokesman Deputy Jason Ramos said the child died as a result of significant internal injuries caused by blunt force trauma.

The boy was taken by ambulance to UC Davis Medical Center Aug. 27. Hospital personnel notified authorities upon determining the child's injuries.

Child abuse detectives investigated and arrested the victim's father, Robert B. Bonnard, 31, on suspicion of corporal punishment/injury to a child and endangering the life or health of a child, both felonies, on Aug. 28. In Sacramento County Jail, Bonnard is ineligible for bail.

According to the criminal complaint, Bonnard is accused of striking his son with a vacuum attachment in two incidents. The boy lapsed into a coma from the injuries.

According to another court document, on Aug. 27, the day the child was brought to the hospital, Bonnard and his wife argued and she left their home. The suspect's 9-year-old daughter told detectives she then saw Bonnard push Eshawn to the ground and slam his head into a wall. It happened two times.

The victim was a student at Dyer Kelly Elementary School in Sacramento.

Ramos said detectives were working with the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office to determine whether other charges would be filed against the father.