NorCal man granted parole less than 13 years after killing baby

( KRON ) — A man who killed a 2-year-old girl in 2011 has been granted parole, the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office said.

David Leonardo was convicted of killing 2-year-old Priscilla Rose Hernandez in Castroville on Dec. 3, 2011. He was first granted parole in 2022, but that was overturned by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Monterey County deputies found young Priscilla unconscious in Leonardo’s arms with visible bruises, open eyes and a pale body. Leonardo was talking rapidly and was visibly upset, the DA’s office said.

Leonardo, who was dating Priscilla’s mother, admitted to hitting his girlfriend’s daughter in the stomach. Priscilla was throwing a tantrum after her mother left the home, and Leonardo gave her a time-out. The girl then urinated and defecated in her pants, and Leonardo struck her in the stomach, according to the DA’s office. Priscilla never spoke again.

An autopsy determined that she had been smothered in addition to being hit in the stomach. She suffered internal bleeding that killed her within minutes, prosecutors said.

Leonardo was originally sentenced to 15 years to life in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder. He was granted parole in October 2022, but that was overturned by Newsom in March 2023.

On April 23, 2024, the California Board of Parole Hearings again granted parole to Leonardo. Priscilla’s parent and grandmothers were both at the parole hearing and pleaded with the board not to release Leonardo.

“A Board of Parole panel had asserted that their grant was based on the work the inmate had done during incarceration to transform and rehabilitate himself,” the DA’s office said.

Leonardo completed college coursework and participated in other programs while in prison. In August, Newsom referred the grant back to the parole board for review, which affirmed it.

Monterey County DA Jeannine Pacioni opposed Leonardo’s release, saying his recollection of the murder omitted key aspects of the crime. He will likely be released after spending less than 13 years in custody.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.