TORONTO -- The father of alleged beating victim Emmily Lucas testified yesterday Erika Mendieta admitted she "disciplined" and possibly spanked the toddler on the day she was rushed to hospital.
Derrick Parra, a twice-convicted domestic abuser, testified at the second-degree murder trial of Mendieta, 33, who is accused of killing their 2 1/2-year-old daughter Emmily.
Parra recalled the Nov. 13, 2003, phone conversation with Mendieta -- with whom he had five children -- when she said, "Emily fell down some stairs and she was going to die.
"And the other children have been taken away by the CCAS," Parra quoted her as saying.
Mendieta said Emmily tumbled down the stairs a "couple of days" earlier and she was "disciplined" or possibly spanked on Nov. 13, 2003.
Emmily died 10 days later.
Parra testified he never attended the hospital because there was a warrant for his arrest for a November 2003 domestic violence incident involving his wife Jacqueline Doumar. Parra lived common-law with Mendieta for many years.
He testified he feared he'd be arrested and police would never let him see Emmily.
Parra, 34, and a drywall contractor, testified he surrendered to police in February 2005.
He admitted he never told police about Mendieta's incriminating comments until 10 days before he testified at the January 2006 preliminary inquiry because he "didn't want to help the authorities because they never helped" him.
The trial continues Monday.
