VICTORVILLE, Calif. -- After chasing his girlfriend around a Victorville motel, a man who had just lost his home allegedly used a box cutter to slash his three children, including an infant and a toddler, according to police.
Police responded to reports of a man chasing a woman at the Red Roof Inn in the 13400 block of Mariposa Road in Victorville, Calif., at about 1:40 a.m. Tuesday.
Esteban Saracho, 29, of Victorville, allegedly chased his girlfriend out of their room. She then hid behind another couple for protection, according to police. Saracho allegedly threatened the life of his girlfriend and the couple she hid behind, according to police.
That's when another party tried to diffuse the situation by brandishing a rifle, according to deputies.
"Saracho then ran back in his room, locking his girlfriend out. In the room were three children of Saracho and his girlfriend. Deputies acquired a card key for the room, but the door would not open. Deputies then knocked at the door and announced themselves, but Saracho would not open the door. Suddenly, screams rang out from within the room," according to a police statement.
Deputies smashed the room window. One of the officers jumped through the window and opened the door, allowing other officers to enter.
"Deputies could see two children on the bed and the suspect's feet as he was lying on the floor in the bedroom. Saracho was found lying on the ground clutching the box cutters. Deputies gave commands in English and Spanish, but the suspect would not cooperate with deputies, fighting and resisting arrest," according to a police statement.
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"He was extremely combative and uncooperative even after they took him into custody," Cindy Beavers, San Bernardino County sheriff's spokesman, told the Associated Press.
Each of the children suffered several lacerations to the face, head or neck and hands.
"One child suffered a cut that almost severed her finger. The 3- and 5-year-olds suffered the more severe injuries and were airlifted to Loma Linda Hospital. The 7-month-old suffered injuries less severe and was transported by AMR to Loma Linda Hospital. The children's mother was transported by family to be with her children," according to a police statement.
The children were reported to be in stable condition, and have been reunited with their mother. The family was temporarily staying at the motel after losing their home, according to investigators.
Saracho was under the influence of alcohol, marijuana and methamphetamine, according to police.
Saracho was booked at West Valley Detention Center on charges of attempted murder, an outstanding no bail warrant for a misdemeanor domestic violence charge, assault against the children's mother and aggravated mayhem. He is being held on $1 million bail.
