A toddler stops breathing at a park, and a Palmdale man is arrested; the toddler subsequently dies

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said on Thursday that the father of the small child who was discovered unconscious in a Palmdale park has been taken into custody.

Just before nine o’clock on Wednesday morning, deputies were called to Melville J. Courson Park, which is situated at 38226 10th Street East. When they arrived, they spoke with the boy’s father, who informed them that his son was experiencing a medical emergency.

The boy, who was estimated to be two years old, subsequently passed away in a nearby hospital.

Shaffer Grindstaff, 29, was taken into custody on charges of endangering the welfare of a child and conspiring to hide a crime.

The sheriff’s office stated, “At this time, the cause of death is unknown and will be determined by the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner.”

According to neighbors, the youngster resided across the street from the park in an apartment complex with his father.

“We told the police that we didn’t have cameras and that we didn’t see anything when they knocked on my door,” said a neighbor, Destiny Tibbs.

It is recommended that anyone with information regarding this occurrence call the Homicide Bureau of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department at (323) 890-5500.