DOWNEY - A South Gate man charged in the beating death of his infant daughter was arraigned Thursday at Downey Superior Court.Jose Tulio Deras, 20, was charged with one count each of murder and assault on a child causing death. The defendant's 9-month-old child is identified as Valerie in the criminal complaint. Deras, who is also accused of assaulting his wife, additionally faces one count of sodomy by use of force with allegations that he used a knife and bound the victim. Deras allegedly killed the child and assaulted his wife at the couple's South Gate apartment on Jan. 15. He was arrested four days later by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers four days later after fleeing to Mexico.

********** Published: January 27, 2011 - Volume 9 - Issue 41