Little Falls, MN Man Arrested In Death Of Toddler

LITTLE FALLS, MN — A Little Falls, Minnesota man was arrested Wednesday morning in the July death of 14-month-old Riverlynn VanNorman.

Erik Adrian Blanco, 40, was taken into custody at his home in Little Falls and booked into the Morrison County Jail on second-degree intentional murder. Formal charges are expected to be filed later this week, officials said.

"After an exhaustive and thorough investigation into this case, investigators have arrested Erik Blanco in connection with this heart-breaking tragedy," Little Falls Police Chief Greg Schimers said in a statement.

"This case has deeply affected our community and our thoughts and condolences go out to Riverlynn's family during this unimaginably difficult time. The pain and sorrow they are feeling is shared by the entire community. We also would like to express our gratitude to the community for their patience, understanding, and support throughout the course of this long and difficult investigation."

On July 6, VanNorman's mother called 911 to report that her child was not breathing. The child was transported to St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls, where she was pronounced dead.

The child died from multiple head and neck injuries "consistent with homicidal violence," police said. Blanco was caring for the child while the mother was away, according to investigators.