How Could You? Hall of Shame-Alejandro Andreas Perez Jr. case-Child Death UPDATED now Lawsuit

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Oildale, California, foster child Alejandro Andreas Perez Jr. , 3, died “with signs of blunt force trauma.”

“23ABC reached out to Kern County DHS about this incident — who responded with a redacted report from the California Department of Social Services, confirming a 3-year-old was killed on Feb. 9 at a foster care /out-of-home care residence but did not name the child or list the address.

According to the report, Child Welfare Services confirmed child neglect and abuse.”

“On February 16, 32-year-old Margaret Eichhorst was arrested for the child’s death. Eichhorst pleaded not guilty to first-degree manslaughter and felony child endangerment. She is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on March 7.”
Family alleges child killed in Oildale was under foster care at time of death
[23 ABC 2/29/24 by Veronica Morley]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Update:“Deputies reported that when they first saw the child, he had several bruises and cuts along his head, face, and body. They noticed hexagonal patterned bruises on his back and a yellow liquid substance near his nose and mouth.

Eichhorst was originally brought in for questioning, the documents said. she told detectives she had been caring for Alejandro and two other foster children for around 6 months. She said she remembered giving him a bath and putting him to bed the night before.

Detectives noted that when they left the room, interview footage showed Eichhorst looking at the warrant receipt and mumbling something similar to “shower rug?…did I, oh god,” according to documents.

Since she wasn’t under arrest at that time, Eichhorst was taken back to her home.

The documents state that detectives also requested Eichhorst’s Resource Parent Application from Kern County Department of Human Services. As part of the RFA, email exchanges and entries regarding Eichhorst note that on July 5, 2023, Eichhorst was in counseling for “childhood trauma… suicidal ideation.. and that she was concerned about placement of a child who had been sexually abused,” as “she may be triggered,” according to the documents. The entry stated that some of these concerns had been mitigated while some hadn’t.

Detectives also noted Eichhorst was a military veteran and documents said she’d been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Further examination of the toddler by a pathologist showed he had several external injuries, internal bleeding, as well as a small tear to his heart, according to documents.

Cause of death was ruled as blunt force trauma to the head.

Along with two other foster children, Eichhorst’s nine-year-old biological daughter was living in the home. In an interview at the Jamison Center, the child said she was sad “because she had seen her little brother die in front of her.” Documents said, “she saw him struggle to breath, open his eyes one last time, and stop breathing.” She said “her mother told her he fell off his bed,” according to documents.

Eichhorst was arrested and taken into custody on February 16.

Detectives note in the report that after the arrest, a walk through of her home showed her belongings were mostly boxed up and it “appeared as if [she] was attempting to flee.. to avoid prosecution,” according to the documents.

Eichhorst is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on May 13.

We reached out to Kern DHS regarding the concerns outlined in the documents. They responded with the following:

Good Morning

Our Department is in receipt of both of your media requests. Although we’re unable to comment on the specifics outlined in your email, the Resource Family Approval (RFA) application process and requirements are located on our department’s public website at Resource Family Approval (RFA) | Kern County, CA – Department of Human Services (kcdhs.org) [kcdhs.org]. Applications are processed in accordance with the RFA Written Directives issued by California Department of Social Services which are located at Written Directives Version 8.0 (ca.gov) [cdss.ca.gov].
Kern DHS.”

DOCS: Woman who allegedly killed foster child had diagnosed PTSD, trauma
[ABC 23 3/8/24 by Veronica Morley]

Update 2:“The mother of a 3-year-old boy who died in the custody of a foster parent filed two claims against Kern County earlier this month, a prerequisite action for filing a lawsuit against the county.

The claims were filed in regard to the death of Alejandro Perez Jr., who was found dead in a home in the 500 block of El Tejon Avenue with injuries consistent with child abuse, according to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office.

The foster parent, Margaret Eichhorst, 32, pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and assault of a child under the age of 8 years old resulting in death, and is awaiting a preliminary hearing set for Aug. 21 in Kern County Superior Court.

A KCSO report submitted to the court said Perez had bruises on his forehead, back, arms, elbows, buttocks, the bottom of his right foot, hip and ears, as well as a cut inside his mouth. Perez also had internal bleeding in his head, bladder and chest due to a small tear in his heart, the report said.

The claim states Perez was removed from his mother’s care and placed with Eichhorst “where he was subject to approximately nine months of neglect and physical abuse.”

According to the claim, theories of liability include but are not limited to neglect, breach of mandatory duties, wrongful death and 4th and 14th Amendment violations.

The claim was filed by a lawyer representing Perez’s mother, Ashley Sinden. Speaking to The Californian Friday, attorney Robert Powell said a lawsuit would likely make charges at the state and federal level.

“This wasn’t like an out-of-the-blue event,” Powell said. “There were several signs and times where the biological mother would point out to (Kern County Child Protective Services).”

Powell also said that he feels the county likely unlawfully removed the child from the biological mother.

“Kern County Child Protective Services needs to stop taking kids to the level that they are. Fifty percent or more don’t need to be removed,” Powell said, calling Perez’s case “a grotesque tragedy.”

Claim documents indicate Sinden may seek damages of more than $25,000.

Two claim forms were submitted to the county, one on Aug. 6, the other Aug. 8, but the paperwork is identical. Powell said his office often submits paperwork in multiple forms to ensure the county receives the documents.

Representatives for Kern County Counsel, attorneys for the county, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. ”
Claim filed against county over death of child in foster care
[Bakersfield.com 8/16/24 by Peter Segall]