CONRAD AYALA - 19 Months - Minot ND

14th February 2011

For the second time in three weeks, the Minot Police Department is
investigating a murder. The victim in this case not even two years old
and his own mother is now charged with his murder. According to police
statements, around 7:30 p.m. Saturday, police and medical units
responded to a call reporting a child not breathing at the Polaris Park
apartment on 27th Avenue in north Minot.


“Upon arrival to that location, officers and medical personnel continued
medical care of that child and made observations of apparent injuries
to that child,” Lt. Jason Sundbakken said in a press conference Monday
afternoon.


Police say one year old Conrad Ayala had been badly beaten and was
transported to Trinity Hospital. The toddler’s mother, Cassondra Ayala,
20, Minot and her boyfriend, Anthony Robinson, 32, Minot were arrested
Saturday and charged with felony counts of child abuse. After about 30
hours, Conrad Ayala’s injuries proved to be too much, doctors pronounced
the boy dead at 1:42 a.m., Monday. Now, his mother and Robinson have
been charged with murder.


Over the weekend the community`s outrage was expressed through a
Facebook page “Justice for Conrad”. Lt. Sundbakken says he is concerned
with the amount of attention the case is getting through social media,
”Any info that`s out there has a potential to be misinterpreted and
those sort of things, at times, interfere with our investigation.”


A community, still reeling from a quadruple homicide less that a month
ago, and the police are left wondering why anyone could beat a 19 month
old toddler to death.

http://www.kfyrtv.com/News_Stories.asp?news=46620

In the wake of last weekend`s shocking case of child abuse turned
murder, people gathered for a vigil to remember 19 month old Conrad
Ayala. Family, friends, and even complete strangers gathered to hold
signs, balloons, and wear black and blue ribbons to raise awareness of
child abuse. Organizers say even before the vigil began, they received
over $2,000 in donations which will be put towards Conrad’s funeral.


“He`s never going to be a hero, he`s never going to be a fireman, he`s
never going to be an astronaut and we`re going to give him a burial for a
prince, and show the world that we love Conrad,” says Bev Roberts, a
spokesman for Conrad’s family.


Conrad’s mother Cassondra Ayala is under arrest for the murder along with her boyfriend Anthony Robinson.

Video report: Click here

Two people accused in what authorities say was the beating death of a Minot toddler have pleaded not guilty to murder.The
Minot Daily News reports that 32-year-old Anthony Robinson and
20-year-old Cassondra Ayala are charged in the Feb. 14 death of
19-month-old Conrad Ayala. They each could face life in prison if
convicted.Police Sgt. David Goodman testified in court on
Wednesday that the toddler had bruising "from head to toe," and that
medical officials said the boy also had suffered a broken jaw and a
fractured skull.Ayala's attorney, Eric Baumann, maintains there is probable cause that child abuse occurred but not murder.
http://www.wday.com/event/article/id/47743/group/homepage/