Family wants justice for toddler who police say died under babysitter's watch
MESA, Ariz. - Last November, police say a Mesa 3-year-old was found dead while under the care of a babysitter.
What we know:
Mesa detectives say the man responsible is 33-year-old Christopher Watkins. He's accused of first-degree murder and child abuse.
The family of the toddler, Ladorious Perez, spoke to FOX 10 back in December as they searched for answers about what happened to their 3-year-old little boy.
The babysitter reportedly told authorities the 3-year-old fell off a stool, but detectives say it was the negligence that followed that has left this family heartbroken.

Christopher Watkins
What they're saying:
"He was the joy of our life," Venus Mattison, Ladorious' grandmother, said.
Larorious was a spider-man-loving ball of energy whose life was taken too soon.
His parents had shared custody, and the boy’s mom had arranged for Watkins to watch him for five days while she was out of town.
His death immediately raised red flags for the boy's father, Timothy Perez, and his family.
"Right now, it still just remains a mystery," Perez said.
Mattison says, "I don't feel like it's an accident."

"Even though he's not convicted, justice, in my heart, I feel like justice will be served," Mattison said. "When my grandchildren come over, I'm missing one. I'm missing my baby, I'm missing Ladorious."
Perez says Watkin's arrest was overdue.
"I knew that it had to have been something, I knew it was definitely something where something wasn't done," he said.
He mourns his son who would have turned four this September.
"I know you have to have proof, but I feel like my grandson went through more than what he went through that day. I'm still not at ease, because there's some missing pieces to this thing," Mattison said.
For Perez, adjusting to day-to-day life has been hard without his son.
"I mean, I'm in the same house my son was being raised in, so it's like certain things, you know. I'll walk around the house and certain memories come back," he said.
Ward says she's proud of the strides Perez has made, being strong for his other kids.
"He has other kids that he still has to show up for, so during this whole process, you know, I've seen how it's taken a toll on him. I just want to say how proud I am of you for still showing up every day, still staying strong," she said.
The family is finding continued strength through faith, each other and the power of forgiveness.
Mattison says, "If you love God, you have forgiveness and we forgive the family. We forgive 'em."
Dig deeper:
Court paperwork reveals the night before Thanksgiving 2024 that Ladorious climbed on a stool and fell nearly five feet, his head hitting the tile.
Google searches on Watkin's phone reportedly read "what to do for a toddler or baby that has a concussion" – the answer is to seek medical attention immediately.
Watkins told police he asked the 3-year-old if he was OK. The child didn’t speak, but shook his head.
Court documents state Watkins then placed the 3-year-old in a bedroom, telling police it was for 30 minutes. Court paperwork says the child was not checked on for three-and-a-half hours.
"No child deserves to go through this. So, it's just having to wake up every day and not knowing what happened to him, what he went through and, you know, the suffering that happened to him," Alysha Ward, the toddler's aunt, said.
Mattison adds, "Put himself in our shoes, you know, have a soul and just tell the truth about what really, truly happened to my grandson."
Police say it wasn’t only Watkins' actions, but his inactions that led to the three-year-old's death.
Watkins is being held on a million-dollar cash bond as Ladorious’ family seeks justice and closure.
What you can do:
Click here to donate to the family's GoFundMe.