Two people face charges following death of two-year-old

A young boy died in East Austin over the weekend. His older sister and her boyfriend are now facing charges, according to court documents.   

Austin police say they received a call on June 2 regarding an unresponsive baby at 6409 Springdale Lane. APD said when paramedics arrived on scene the child, Noel Leal, was already rigid and was pronounced deceased. 

Through interviews, investigators learned 22-year-old Selissa Flores, Noel’s sister, was babysitting the young boy on June 1. APD says at some point between 9 p.m. June 1 and 3:10 p.m. June 2, Noel received trauma to his head and body and died. The sister told police she and Miguel Berumen-Zepeda "cleaned up the scene" before they called 911, according to APD. 

“Subsequent interviews of Miguel Zepeda he admitted to striking the child the night before and putting him to sleep and they located the child deceased,” said Lt. Jason Staniszewski. "There were healing injuries so it had shown that Noel had received injuries in the past in which Mr. Zepeda admitted to."

APD is now trying to figure out how long Noel had been dead before Flores called 911. APD says the death of Noel has been ruled a homicide. 

Flores has been charged for tampering with evidence and Berumen-Zepeda is facing charges for tampering with evidence and injury to a child.

Noel's mother released this statement:

"Please understand, I have been cooperating with the police. I not only lost my son but I lost my daughter too. You can't begin to imagine what I am going through. Please respect my privacy. I still have to bury my son and want to do this peacefully. All I want is justice to be served."

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family pay for funeral services.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 512-477-3588 or 512-472-TIPS.