The family of 3-year-old Jose “Pepe” Castillo-Cisneros, who died after being assaulted in his Battle Ground home, say they had no idea that the boy’s alleged killer had a violent criminal history.
Pepe’s grandfather, Fernando Cisneros-Garcia, said that his daughter’s boyfriend, Ricardo Gutierrez, who is being held on suspicion of first-degree murder in the boy’s death, was always strict but had never hurt Pepe before.
Gutierrez was convicted in 2007 of second-degree assault stemming from a domestic violence case involving a former girlfriend in Jackson County, Ore. He was also charged with attempted murder, but that charge was later dismissed.
“Everybody thought (Gutierrez) was a nice guy. Nobody knew the guy had a criminal story,” Cisneros-Garcia said Wednesday. “My grandson was a little angel. He was so nice and happy. He was the life in the house for everybody. Everybody loved him.”
At times, it appeared that Gutierrez didn’t care for the boy, who was autistic and communicated by screaming or crying, Cisneros-Garcia said.
Looking back now, he said the family worries that Gutierrez might have hurt the boy when they were alone.
Cisneros-Garcia said he thinks Gutierrez couldn’t handle Pepe’s sometimes challenging behavior.
“But, it’s not an excuse or any reason for him to do what he did,” he said. “He has destroyed our lives and has destroyed his life.”
Now, the family wants to move out of the rental home where Pepe was killed.
“Right now, the situation is hard. We have to move from this house because my family doesn’t want to go back,” Cisneros-Garcia said. “It’s really hard for everybody, my wife and daughter.” In the meantime, the family — Pepe’s grandparents, his mom and two siblings — are staying with Cisneros-Garcia’s other daughter in Battle Ground.
Help for family
Neighbors, friends, and even strangers are rallying together to help raise money for the family to find new housing.
A neighbor, Robert Nelson, whose family is close friends with Pepe’s family, will be placing donation jars at businesses around Battle Ground to help raise the necessary funds. The jars have not yet been placed, but Nelson said several local businesses have already agreed to allow them, including Old Town Burger & Breakfast, 813 W. Main St.; Pita House, 715 W. Main St., Suite 117; Battle Ground Produce, 915 E. Main St.; and Ace Hardware,1605 W. Main St. He hopes to have the jars out this weekend.
Nelson, 39, said Pepe’s death has particularly affected him because he has a 9-year-old son who is autistic.
“A lot of people don’t understand that they cry for little things. They are a little bit different than the average child, and that’s OK,” he said. “This proves to me that some people just can’t handle a special needs child.”
In addition to the jars, Nelson’s family has also designed T-shirts with Pepe’s photo that read, “Justice for Pepe.” They will be selling the shirts for $15 each — $5 will go directly to Pepe’s family and the remaining funds will cover the cost of the shirts and printing.
Once there’s enough interest in the shirts, the family will submit the orders, and purchasers will be notified when they are available, Nelson said.
People interested in ordering a shirt can contact Nelson’s daughter, Jessica Floriano, at jessica.l.floriano@gmail.com or message her on Facebook.
An account also has been set up at Wells Fargo, where people can make donations under the name, “Justice for Pepe.”
Other community members will be holding a car wash 9 a.m. June 4 at Battle Ground Produce, said Floriano, 21. All proceeds will go to Pepe’s family, and the money will be deposited directly into the Wells Fargo account.
Candlelight vigil
A candlelight vigil will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday in front of the Battle Ground home, 1617 S.W. Sixth St. People are encouraged to bring candles. More information about the vigil can be found on the Facebook page “Candlelight Vigil for Little Angel Pepe.”
“We really appreciate the people who are doing this for us,” Cisneros-Garcia said. “Thank you very much to everyone for all of the love and support for us.”
