The Death of a Child in Twentynine Palms
Posted: Tuesday, November 15, 2011
by Jack H. Schick
On the evening of November 19, 2010, Melissa Allen, a U.S. Marine stationed at the Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, California, went to get a tattoo. She left her eighteen month old daughter, Audrey, with her husband Timothy and friend Joshua Kruzik, both Marines themselves. Timothy soon left the child in the care of Kruzik and joined his wife. The couple returned home about 11:30 p.m. and went straight to bed.
Audrey was rushed to Loma Linda University Medical Center where she was declared brain dead. She died later that day. Loma Linda’s pediatric specialist reported to Detective Robin Leal from the Crimes Against Children unit that the girl’s injuries were not “accidental or hereditary.” The doctor told Leal that Aubrey had arrived comatose with significant injuries and bruising to her head, face and neck. Some of the injuries “were highly suggestive of smothering” and there were “marks consistent with strangulation on her neck.” An autopsy determined the cause of death was blunt-force trauma to the head, and the manner of death was ruled homicide.
San Bernardino County Homicide Detective Scott Landen interviewed the Allens. They both adamantly denied having ever abused their daughter. As the story emerged, Joshua Kruzik (22) became a suspect. Kruzik was in California on temporary assignment from New River Air Station in Jacksonville, North Carolina and had returned to his home, as scheduled, the day after Aubrey’s death. Before leaving he agreed to take a polygraph test and speak to the detectives again on December 1st.
The polygraph test was performed by the Naval Criminal Investigative Services. The results indicated that Kruzik wasn’t telling everything he knew about what happened the night he was babysitting Audrey. Wayne Brown, who administered the test, said that at one point Kruzik became emotional and told him there was an accident. “He said he had fallen on Audrey, and that’s how she was hurt." Brown said. "He tripped and fell with Audrey close to his chest, and fell on top of her.” As a result of the test, Kruzik was extradited and arrested on suspicion of murder.
In a later interview with Detective Lucas Niles, Kruzik said that he had been “extremely drunk” and got angry when the child would not stop crying. Kruzik said he hit Audrey three to five times, knocking her down. “The final time he struck the child, she fell unconscious,” Niles said. Trying to revive her, Kruzik “mildly shook” her, and placed his hands over her mouth thinking she might wake up if he kept her from breathing. He pressed on the baby’s stomach and stuck his fingers down her throat in an effort to get her to vomit. When the detective asked Kruzik why he hadn’t called 911, he said, “How could I? Look at the state I’m in. I would have gone away instantly.”
After the story of a child's tragic death was presented at the preliminary hearing in Joshua Tree, CA, Superior Court this month, the judge determined that there was enough evidence to hold Joshua Kruzik for trial so he can answer the charge that he murdered toddler, Aubrey Allen. He did not go away instantly, as he so feared, but soon, he probably will.
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Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)How terrible, and did the parents actually know this person well enough to leave a small child alone with them? Probably not.
This was bad enough. I should like to think the couple was irresponsible . They didn't care less about their baby in the first place. Kids are not easy so don't make them if you don't want to take proper care of them lest they suffer or got murdered. Poor baby !EXACTLY ! The parents knew he was drunk when they deciced to leave him alone with the baby. But are they being held accountable for this ? of course not! who leaves their child with someone who is drunk out of their mind to go get a tattoo. really ?My point, yes. Thanks for reading and commentingThey should all be on trial. The parents for recklessly endangering their child by leaving her with a drunk guy, and this Joshua Kruzik for the suffering and murder of a child! What parent goes out to get a tattoo and doesn't come home until 11:30 pm then doesn't check on their child. They will have to live with their loss and guilt their entire lives.There are facts of the case that have not come out yet that will show a differnet take on this tradgey.I've been following this case. Is there new information? It's difficult to find updates or anything online. The whole thing has seemed very suspicious from the beginning.I live in PA and only read what is in the "High Desert Star" from Yucca Valley. Nothing there, latelyCurious Jack, are you from Joshua's hometown? HE KILLER HER, end of story.
Think a moment about people you may know that have tattoos, all of them. Are they bad people? What is a good reason for going out and coming home at 11:30? What is acceptable? These comments are unreal. Maybe he got drunk after they left. Is that at all possible? Who the hell are all you people to blame the parents here? They knew him and trusted him and he killed their beautiful child.I'm not from his home town. I don't know anybody. I just did the article from a news report in the paper.
A son and a daughter have tatoos- they're good peopleYou didn't even know the parents!!! I hate it when people make quick judgements like this one and don't even know all the details or know the people.I made no judgment. I re-wrote the newsaper story. the readers have made comments and judgments.
Sad, Sad and a reminder for all to parent their own children, and stop the non sense and grow up. Don't abnegate your responsibilities to others... whom you barely know. Terrible for the child, thanks for reminding everyone Jack.
My note to troubled parents:
IF a person is having trouble parenting, then they should talk to family members, or friends who are known to be trustworthy...most will offer to give the parent a break once a week or so, it's time to put the children first.
The past two-three years have shown so many missing/murdered/abused children, that it speaks to the insanity of our society!
I am not a fan of Nancy Grace or those who traffic in media convictions, however, I do believe there should be a better way to teach parenting at home or in junior/senior high schools...a bag of flour is not enough!
I apologize if my answer is too long...this is an area of extreme need in America.thanks for reading and commenting
To those who have commented thank you for seeing things how I do. Josh was always a caring and supportive big brother. He always looked out for my best interest. I do not know all the details of this case but I too feel the parents should be reciving some sort of punishment. My parents would never leave me with a drunken man especially for a tattoo or to join the other. I truly think had they had their priorities straight this would have never happened. Sincerely a broken hearted sisterThanks for reading and commenting
Exactly!!!!!! people will get to see the actual details of what happended soon and realize that Joshua is not the monster people are making him out to be.Thanks for reading and commentingHe killed her. It doesn't matter what a swell guy he once was, he and he alone physically grabbed, choked and hit her until she was dead. He is not the first person in the world to be around a child while intoxicated, most people still do not beat an 18 month old to death after a few drinks. He may be a hell of a guy but he killed her just the same. That's like saying a person who kills someone while driving drunk does not deserve their punishment because they were likeable. Sorry he ruined his life, Tim's, Melissa's and ended Audreys. No other details are going to surface with some "clue", no last minute "whodunnit", he did it. Wrap you brain around the idea that he lost his patience and beat a little girl to death.
I wish I could understand why this man killed this little girl. I knew the family, and they are not neglectful, and loved her very much. Joshua kruzik was their acquaintance, waiting to leave to go back home while the couple had a night out together. See cmac's comments. Many lives were ruined by Audrey's death, and it makes it worse that some are calling for punishment for the parents who simply had a babysitter available, that they knew, and wanted a night out. Do your friends come out and say, "nice to meet you, don't leave your kid with me b/c I may kill them if I get mad?" They wouldn't have left her with him if they knew he was capable of this!! please reconsider where your anger is being directed.A tragedy all the way around. Tahnks for commenting
You got enough comments. Just wanted you to know I read and admire your work.Thanks, Pal
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