Suspect in Green Bay Toddler Homicide Seeks Medical Records

James VanderLeest requests release of 2-year-old Leo Escalante's full medical history as he faces reckless homicide charges.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 6:39pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a child's medical bracelet or other small piece of evidence related to the crime, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conveying a stark, investigative aesthetic.A harsh, gritty close-up of evidence from the tragic death of a young child sparks difficult questions about the investigation and the search for justice.Green Bay Today

James VanderLeest, 22, who is accused of causing the death of 2-year-old Leo Escalante in Green Bay, Wisconsin, has asked the court to order the release of all of the boy's medical records. VanderLeest is charged with reckless homicide, with prosecutors citing an autopsy report that Escalante suffered blunt force trauma and other head wounds not consistent with a fall down the stairs. VanderLeest's attorney has filed a motion requesting Escalante's full medical history from birth to the present, as well as all medical examiner reports.

Why it matters

The request for Escalante's full medical records suggests VanderLeest's defense strategy may be to challenge the medical evidence and findings that led to the reckless homicide charges. This case has drawn significant attention in the Green Bay community, with Escalante's family alleging that VanderLeest was the ex-boyfriend of the boy's mother.

The details

According to the criminal complaint, police responded to a 911 call on June 22 for a child who had fallen down the stairs and was not breathing. Escalante's mother told police that it was VanderLeest who called her to say the child wasn't breathing, and that VanderLeest wanted her to say it was his father, David VanderLeest, who was with the boy when the injuries happened. An autopsy determined that Escalante's injuries, including blunt force trauma to the head, were not consistent with a fall down the stairs, as VanderLeest had claimed. Both VanderLeests have disputed the police and prosecutors' account of events.

  • On June 22, police responded to a 911 call about a child who had fallen down the stairs and was not breathing.
  • Escalante was flown to Children's Hospital in Milwaukee, where he was pronounced dead two days after his injuries occurred on June 22.

The players

James VanderLeest

A 22-year-old man accused of causing the death of 2-year-old Leo Escalante through reckless homicide. VanderLeest has requested the release of Escalante's full medical records as part of his defense.

Leo Escalante

A 2-year-old boy who died from blunt force trauma and other head injuries that were not consistent with a fall down the stairs, according to the autopsy report.

David VanderLeest

The 48-year-old father of James VanderLeest, who is charged with aiding a felon and obstruction for allegedly lying to police about being home alone with Escalante at the time of the incident.

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What they’re saying

“Given the medical examiner's determination of AHT (abusive head trauma) being the cause of death, all L.E.'s medical records, from birth to the present, directly relate to the facts and immediate circumstances of this case.”

— Amanda Toonen, Attorney for James VanderLeest

What’s next

A motions hearing is scheduled for Monday, where the judge will consider VanderLeest's request for the release of Escalante's medical records. Prosecutors have not yet responded to the motion.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex legal and medical issues involved in child homicide investigations, as the defense seeks to challenge the evidence that led to the reckless homicide charges against VanderLeest. The outcome of the motion hearing and the release of Escalante's medical records could have a significant impact on the direction of the case.