Police Seek Suspect In Blaine Toddler's Death

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The Blaine Police Department is looking for a suspect in the murder of a 21-month-old child died on Tuesday.

Authorities responded at about 7:07 a.m. to the Blaine Medical Center on a report of an unresponsive toddler. When emergency responders arrived, life-saving efforts were administered, but the child was pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation is focused on an apartment on the 1500 block of 87th Avenue NE in Blaine.

The Anoka County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday that the mother of the child was taken into custody and is no longer cooperating with authorities. She was booked into the Anoka County Jail on suspicion of aiding and abetting child endangerment.

Police have identified a suspect that they are seeking in connection with the child's death. He is identified as 24-year-old Nelson Geovanny Soto-Lopez, a Hispanic man who was last seen wearing black T-shirt and jeans.

He was last seen walking away from an address on the 2000 block of Todd Drive in Arden Hills at about 9:30 a.m. Monday. Soto-Lopez is believed to be with a 5-year-old girl that he is not the father or relative of. She was last seen wearing a brown and black jacket with purple pants and brown shoes.

Authorities say there are grave concerns for the safety of the 5-year-old girl that has been seen with Soto-Lopez. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has identified the 5-year-old girl with him as Cristal Marie Oliva-Aguilar. Information suggests he is attempting to leave the Twin Cities metro.

Authorities say an AMBER Alert was not issued because Soto-Lopez and the girl were last seen on foot, and there is no vehicle description.

The child who died has not been identified.

The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office says the suspect was last seen in Ramsey County.

Anyone with information about the suspect or child with the suspect should call Blaine police or the Anoka County Sheriff's Office at (763) 427-1212.