Claim filed in death of 3-year-old placed with foster mother

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The biological mother of a 3-year-old boy who authorities say was killed by his foster mother has filed a wrongful death claim against the county.

The claim, a precursor to a lawsuit, says Alejandro Perez Jr. was removed from the care of his mother and placed with Margaret Eichhorst, “where he was subjected to approximately nine months of neglect and physical abuse.”

The child died Feb. 9.

“From March 14, 2023, through Feb. 9, 2024, Alejandro was in the care, supervision and control of county with the duty to keep the child safe above all,” the claim says.

Eichhorst has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and assault on a child under 8 resulting in death. She has a hearing scheduled next week.

Deputies were called Feb. 9 to the 500 block of El Tejon Avenue and met Eichhorst, the reporting party, who said Alejandro wasn’t breathing when she checked on him just before calling 911, according to court filings.

The boy had bruises and cuts to his face and body, the filings say, and hexagonal-patterned discolorations on his back. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

An autopsy determined Alejandro died from blunt force trauma to his head, the filings say. Internal injuries included bleeding in his chest — caused by a small tear to his heart — as well as bleeding near his bladder and to his brain, according to the documents.

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