MalloryKeaton

http://www.nbc10.com/news/4224145/detail.html

Police Say Dad Killed Toddler Who Refused Sandwich

Updated: 11:34 am EST February 23, 2005

Orangeburge, N.Y. -- A father is under arrest, charged with killing his 3-year-old daughter. The reason, police say, is that she wouldn't eat her peanut butter sandwich.

Police say he beat the girl after she refused to eat.

Etzer Estiverne, 26, was arraigned on Tuesday evening. Estiverne's wife, Natasha, told police that when she got home from work late Monday night, her 9-month-old son and 3-year-old daughter were asleep. But hours later, they were at Nyack hospital and the 3-year-old daughter, Melanie, was dead -- and the husband is now charged with murder.

Even the most hardened police investigators are having a tough time dealing with the crime in the basement apartment of the Estivernes' home, WNBC-TV in New York reported.

"It's sickening and to go up there and to look at this 3-year-old girl and see her lying in the hospital. It's just mind-boggling," said Lt. John McAndrew, of the Orangetown Police Department.

Etzer Estiverne confessed to killing his daughter because she wouldn't eat her dinner, a peanut butter sandwich, police said . That was at 8 p.m. on Monday. The mother was at work at Target when the death occurred.

Seven hours later, emergency room workers said the girl's lifeless body was brought in by the parents -- dead on arrival. Melanie Estiverne had multiple internal injuries to her vital organs. The father said the weapon was his fists, according to police.

"The history is that she has a problem eating, especially with him. He was trying to feed her the sandwich and she was not receptive, and he just went off," said McAndrew said.

Another person who lives in the same house said she refused to believe that Etzer Estiverne could kill his daughter.

"No, never. I don't think he beat his kid," said Rose August, Etzer Estiverne's friend.

Natasha Estiverne is not facing any charges, and currently, the 9-month-old son is with child protective services.

Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc.

holla

Yeah I think 3 year olds can be annoying...my nephew constantly is hungry one minute then after I make him something hes magically not hungry and won't eat it. It gets annoying...but killing..come on. What's the matter with people..

Lain

So what prey tell was he doing?!? Waltzing with his daughter just to get her to eat a frickin sandwich?!? Jeez louise man!!! So how in the world she was killed? Strangled by the peanut butter sandwhich. I'm sorry but that does sound off.

CrabbyCancer69

a-hole!!!

*Ledi*

I should stop reading the news altogether because this is freaking insane.

TheAngel

I highly agree. There are people in this world that are seriously messed up.

In Fair Verona

This is one of those stories which really makes me think that people should have to pass a test before they are allowed to pro-create.

roswellain_chick16

I really dont understand these stories and yet I seem to be drawn to them - these people need help - or something!

~~TvAddict~~

Okay, that is just sick!! You don't kill your 3-year old daugther cause she don't want to eat!!

imajica

I totally agree.

Poor girl - this guy must be totally nuts, i can't even imagine how you could bring yourself to use your strength on a defensless child this small no matter what she was doing.

-Kelly-

Poor kid

Hot Like Fire

I feel bad for the child

Galaxia21

It's almost funny because it's just so SENSELESS. Wtf is wrong with people??

How do you have such bad anger issues that you kill your very own daughter over not eating??