Parents Of 2-Year-Old Boy Found Dead In Stamford Park Plead Guilty: Report

STAMFORD, CT — The parents of a 2-year-old boy who was found dead and buried in Stamford's Cummings Park in January 2023 have pleaded guilty to all charges they faced, according to a report from the Stamford Advocate.

Edgar Ismalej-Gomez, 28, and Iris Rivera-Santos, 32, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Stamford Superior Court.

Ismalej-Gomez's attorney said his client maintains his innocence in the events that led to his son Liam Rivera's death, the Advocate said.

Police received information on Jan. 2, 2023, in reference to a possible kidnapping and a child who may have been harmed and buried in the area of Cummings Park.

Officers responded to the park and found fresh dirt that was disturbed, police said at the time. Officers then unearthed a plastic bag containing the remains of Rivera.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the boy's death a homicide by multiple blunt force injuries to the head.

Ismalej-Gomez was identified as a person of interest, and investigators worked with local agencies to locate him.

In the early morning hours of Jan. 3, 2023, officers pulled over a taxi containing Ismalej-Gomez on West Main Street and he was arrested without incident, police said.

He was initially charged with violation of probation stemming from another arrest and incident in 2021 in which Rivera suffered a broken arm, police said.

Charges against Ismalej-Gomez were upgraded on May 1, 2024, to include cruelty to persons; moving a dead body without a permit; third-degree hindering prosecution; tampering with evidence; risk of injury to a minor; criminal violation of a protective order; and conspiracy to tamper with physical evidence

Rivera-Santos was arrested in connection with Rivera's death on Feb. 3, 2023, and charged with risk of injury to a minor; hindering prosecution; tampering with evidence; moving a dead body without a permit; and cruelty to persons.

State's Attorney Paul Ferencek said Tuesday investigators "were unable to determine" who was responsible for the boy's death, hence why there was no homicide charge, the Advocate reported.

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