Hastings, NE — A 19-month-old Nebraska girl is dead, and her 33-year-old great, Azudany Serrano-Contreras, has been arrested in her death. Authorities said the toddler had a baby wipe lodged in her throat before she died.
An arrest affidavit says Aliyana was dropped off at Contreras’ home that morning. Her father, Andrew Peterson said that she was caring for his daughter the day Aliyana died.
“I wasn’t one for pointing fingers right away,” Peterson said.
A baby wipe was found in her throat. She later died at a Children’s Hospital in Colorado.
“From the very beginning in the ER in Hastings, police were, you know, saying this isn’t right, there’s no way,” Peterson. “It was really hard because, you know, we knew our daughter most likely wasn’t going to make it.”
Investigators said Contreras’ story kept changing about what she was doing when she claimed Aliyana swallowed the wipe.
Testimony from Contreras’ own children said she would cover Aliyana’s mouth to stop her from crying. Eventually investigators said over the course of a few months it became clear Aliyana didn’t suffocate herself.
“Officers from our agency continued to investigate the case look in to the death to see what was going on, and have referred that investigative packet to the Adams County Attorney’s Office,” said Sgt. Brian Hessler, with the Hastings Police Department
A warrant was issued for Contreras on July 29, and a few weeks later she was arrested in Laredo, Texas.
A few weeks later, Peterson said he’s taking things one day at a time to help his grieving.
“I just had a sick feeling in the back of my mind all the time, but, um, hopefully justice will be served for my little girl,” he said.
Contreras is being held on one million dollars bond.
She faces multiple charges, including intentionally committing child abuse resulting in death.
