Couple Arrested In Toddler’s Death

A woman and her boyfriend have been arrested in the alleged abuse death of the woman’s 18-month-old daughter.

Peggy Rodriquez, 21, and Francisco Z. Gonzales, 22, both of Pasco, were arrested Wednesday in the death of Mercedes Rodriquez last Saturday.

Rodriquez was being held as a material witness to the alleged abuse, in which police suspect Gonzales. He could be charged with murder by abuse when he appears before a Franklin County judge Monday, Capt. Doug Chambers said.

Pasco police said they believe the alleged abuse began before the couple moved to Pasco two weeks ago from Idaho Falls, Idaho.

The toddler had multiple wounds to her head and upper body when the couple took her to Our Lady of Lourdes Health Center last Friday, police said. Rodriquez said the injuries occurred when she slipped on ice while carrying the baby, Chambers said.

However, doctors determined the injuries were inconsistent with that scenario, he said. The baby was taken to Deaconess Medical Center in Spokane, where she died Saturday.