Police say California mother stabbed 3-year-old son up to 20 times

Calif. mother stabs toddler son up to 20 times

FRESNO, Calif. — A California toddler who was stabbed up to 20 times by his mother and was found face down on a stairway landing by paramedics was in critical condition on Wednesday, authorities said.

Fresno police officers were called to the woman’s apartment at around 4 p.m. on Tuesday after a neighbor said he saw the 3-year-old boy outside the apartment with stab wounds, police said.

The woman screamed at paramedics who arrived at the scene, telling them to stay away from the boy. She had to be held back by officers, Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer said.

The boy had stab wounds all over his body, according to Dyer. He was taken to Community Regional Medical Center.

Police said the woman acknowledged stabbing her son, but would not say why. A witness also reported seeing the woman push the boy down a staircase.

Police did not release the names of the mother or child. But the woman’s sister, Christina Esqueda, identified them as Vanessa Rincon, 30, and Noah Rincon.

Esqueda said she had cut off contact with Rincon after suspecting her sister was on drugs.

Dyer said he did not know if the woman was under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the incident.

A 2-month-old child found at the apartment was unharmed and taken into custody by Fresno County Child Protective Services.