Before Toddler's Death, Man Says CPS Warnings Ignored

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FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - A 22-year-old man has been arrested for the murder of his girlfriend's toddler.

A couple who considered themselves adoptive grandparents of the child, says his death could have been prevented.

"He was a beautiful child. He was incredible. There was so much unconditional love--watching him grow up. He was a blessing," John Winkler said.

Winkler met the toddler through his stepson, who at one time dated the child's mother. Even after that relationship ended, Winkler and his wife remained in the child's life.

Adrian Langlias was pronounced dead one day after his second birthday at Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth.  He was brought to the hospital the day before by ambulance with severe head trauma, multiple skull fractures, visible bite marks, and bruising and swelling around the eyes.

Police interviewed Adrian's mother, Jessica, and her boyfriend Christian Tyrrell, at the hospital.  They both told a story about Adrian refusing to eat and Tyrrell putting him in timeout.  Tyrrell said he spanked him and put him in his playpen.  Tyrrell claimed when he went back to check on Adrian, it looked like the child had fallen backwards out of his playpen.  The toddler continued to throw up and look lethargic, according to his mother, throughout the night and into the next morning.

Tyrrell called Jessica at work later that afternoon to tell her Adrian had a seizure and was not breathing.

According to court documents, Tyrrell did several searches for things like "How to tell if someone has gone brain dead" on his phone, the day before the child was rushed to the hospital. Fort Worth police arrested Tyrrell Wednesday.

Winkler said he noticed bruises on the child in November and saw other red flags.

"His behavior changed," said Winkler, who often babysat the child.

"Cuts on his skin, one on his nipple in particular. Around his neck, bruises and cuts he never had before," Winkler said.

Winkler talked to the child's mother about it, but when nothing was done, he said he called Child Protective Services to warn about abuse in the home. After he reported the abuse, Winkler says the child's mother did not allow him or his wife Laura Martinez around the child.

Winkler says CPS opened and closed the investigation, ruling out abuse or neglect from Adrian's biological parents or from Tyrrell.

"I think the people inside it [CPS] failed. They need to be reviewed," Winkler said.

"We know he's in better hands. He is with Jesus. No one is going to hurt him anymore, but that's not fair. I can't comprehend how someone is going to hurt a little baby," said Martinez.

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