Grandfather describes nightmare of toddler's death
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Ray Vasquez recalls how his 18-month-old grandson, Crow Gabriel Hatfield, died in his arms on Thursday in Port Lavaca. "I told him, 'Stay with us, Crow.' I'm glad I was able to see him and he was able to see me just one last time," Vasquez said. Early Thursday morning, Port Lavaca Police Department officers responded to a call on South Guadalupe Street of a child not breathing, according to a news release from the police department. Resuscitation efforts were not successful.
The pitter-patter of little feet was absent from the Vasquez household on Friday morning.
Two days after 18-month Crow Gabriel Hatfield died of what authorities believe was a heat-related death, his family continues to struggle with the deafening silence brought on by Crow's death.
"I could always tell when he was awake," his grandfather Ray Vasquez said through tears. "Since it's a big house, he was all over the place."
About 2:05 a.m. Thursday, Port Lavaca Police Department officers were called to a house at 603 S. Guadalupe St. regarding a child not breathing, according to a news release from the police department.
Upon arrival, Sgt. Kelly Flood tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate Crow.
Calhoun County EMS transported the child to Memorial Medical Center Emergency, where he was pronounced dead.
Calhoun County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Hope Kurtz, also responded to the scene.
Vasquez said that earlier on Thursday, he and a handful of other family members had enjoyed a barbecue at their house in celebration of Crow's grandmother's birthday.
Although Crow and his 19-year-old parents, John Anderson and Ashley Vasquez, were invited to the barbecue, they did not show back up at the house they shared with Vasquez until after the sun had begun to set.
Vasquez said he did not know the whereabouts of Crow and his parents prior to them coming home.
Once they did arrive at the house, Vasquez said Crow's mother took her son upstairs.
A few hours later, she ran downstairs calling out for help.
Vasquez said he checked Crow's mouth and gave him CPR, which prompted the child to open his eyes and take a deep breath.
The recovery, however, was short-lived.
Moments later, Crow turned blue and his hands grew cold.
"I told him, 'Stay with us, Crow,'" said Vasquez, who recalled holding him in his arms the entire time. "I'm glad I was able to see him and he was able to see me just one last time."
Hours later, Vasquez said he received the news that his grandson had died.
"I just fell back on my bed," he said. "It's like it was a nightmare and wasn't real."
Since Crow's death, the family has tried to focus on more positive memories of their loved one.
"He was a good baby," said Crow's grandmother, Angela Anderson, 43. "Everybody loved him."
"I bought him a gift on my birthday," Crow's uncle Marcellino Vasquez, 41, said in melancholy voice. "If I could develop my camera, I could show you pictures I took of him opening up a remote controlled car.
The tree in front of the front of the home, affectionately known as the "Crow's Nest" because of Crow's affinity for sitting in its branches, will be another long-lasting reminder of their loved one.
Port Lavaca Police Chief John Stewart and Det. Derek Walton traveled to Austin where they briefed the Travis County medical examiner on the initial details of the investigation and witnessed the autopsy, according to the news release.
The initial investigation did not show any obvious cause of death, but it is believed that the death could be partially heat-related, according to the news release.
An investigation of evidence to determine why the death occurred could take several weeks.
In the meantime, detectives said they will be interviewing Crow's parents, who also have a 5-month-old son, further about their son's death.
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Comments
This comment only meant, he was glad his precious grandson didn't have to die without his grandpa by his side comforting him.
August 6, 2011 at 3:53 p.m.It is a really hard thing to watch someone die and you have no control over it, nor can save them.
His grandpa just was glad his grandbaby saw a familiar face and heard his voice before he died. We all don't want our loved ones to dye alone. And we all want to stay by their sides to comfort them.... This family have suffer enough with a lost of a lovely baby boy for others who don't know whom they are to think that they would even hurt anyone so precious.So why even say thing not known to be true.
There is more to this story than they are reporting. The heat factor does not make sense. The whole house would have been feeling the effects of the heat and the 5 month old baby would have been at a higher risk of heat exhaustion. It is so sad that a baby had to die. My prayers for the family and for the little one they still have I pray for the safety of that child.
August 6, 2011 at 2:22 p.m.All children go to Heaven. Our hart goes out to the family.
God Bless Gary White
August 6, 2011 at 1:17 p.m.I can only assume it was very hot in the vehicle or the house, if this is in fact a heat related death.
Maybe the autopsy will clear up some of my questions.
August 6, 2011 at 12:58 p.m.francesg: nobody will really know what that comment meant except for the grandpa
August 6, 2011 at 11:46 a.m.Vasquez: "I'm glad I was able to see him and he was able to see me just one last time."
There is something unsettling about that comment.
This comment only meant, he was glad his precious grandson didn't have to die without his grandpa by his side comforting him.
It is a really hard thing to watch someone die and you have no control over it, nor can save them.
His grandpa just was glad his grandbaby saw a familiar face and heard his voice before he died. We all don't want our loved ones to dye alone. And we all want to stay by their sides to comfort them. If only when my Momma passed away, I could of held her hand and comforted her. I would go back in time to do that if only I could.
My heart goes out to this family. It's so sad to lose a child so young. Heat will kill you if you don't keep liquids down, and a a/c on. Fans just are not going to get it for some. My prayers will be with you all during this time of sorrow.
August 6, 2011 at 11:34 a.m.I hope to God there was no foul play in his death. I don't understand the possibility of heat being a factor in his death. If indeed it was, he should have been showing signs before that. And if so, why wasn't he taken to the doctor/hospital. A terrible tragedy. And the poor innocent babies are the ones to have to suffer.
August 6, 2011 at 11:16 a.m.prayers go out to this family no matter the cirrcumstances. Noone deserves to lose a child. Your baby is in the best of places. From my family to yours I hope you find peace in these difficult times.
August 6, 2011 at 9:24 a.m.My heart goes out to the family. What a tragedy. They do need to know just what caused the baby's death as they have the 5 mo. old and if there is some heredity factor involved the family needs to know so the 5 mo. old can be checked out. In the meantime, I just simply refuse to go outside with my grandbaby who is a year old once it gets close to noon. They cannot tolerate heat as we can. If you do need to go out take water with you so they can keep hydrated. The very young and old are less tolerant to the heat we are dealing with for the time being. In the meantime, my heart aches for this family and the loss of their precious baby.
August 6, 2011 at 3:22 a.m.what a terrible tragedy. i hope they find out why he died. these young people also have a 5 month old?? I pray for that child as well.
August 5, 2011 at 8:58 p.m.