‘I think he hurt my daughter’: Man claimed girlfriend’s 2-year-old died after choking on rice, falling off playground slide, but then he started acting too suspiciously ‘calm’ about it, cops say

A disturbing child abuse and homicide case in Oregon has led to murder charges against a 28-year-old man after investigators concluded that the death of his girlfriend’s 2-year-old daughter was not the result of an accident, despite his claims that she choked on rice and fell from playground equipment.

Authorities say the suspect, identified as Dison Ruda, displayed behavior that raised immediate concerns among witnesses and investigators following the child’s collapse at a public park. Prosecutors allege that the toddler suffered severe injuries consistent with physical abuse and that the explanations provided by Ruda were inconsistent with the medical evidence.

Emergency Response at Blue Lake Park

The case stems from an incident that occurred on March 28 at Blue Lake Park in Fairview, Oregon.

According to court documents, a park superintendent contacted police at approximately 11:45 a.m. after observing a man carrying a young child who appeared unconscious, unresponsive, and not breathing.

The superintendent later told investigators that she saw Ruda attempting to blow air into the child’s mouth while walking. She reportedly instructed him to place the girl on the ground so proper CPR could be performed. Instead, he initially walked toward a blue Honda Odyssey before eventually laying the child on the grass.

The superintendent immediately began rendering aid to the child.

Claim That the Child Choked on Rice

While emergency aid was being administered, Ruda allegedly told the superintendent that the toddler had choked on rice.

Believing there might be an airway obstruction, the superintendent performed a mouth sweep and attempted the Heimlich maneuver. However, she found no food or object blocking the child’s airway.

This account quickly came under scrutiny when first responders arrived and observed injuries that appeared inconsistent with a choking incident.

Visible Injuries Raise Immediate Suspicion

Police officers and paramedics reported seeing extensive bruising on the toddler’s body.

Investigators noted severe bruising on her chest, neck, and jaw. Medical personnel reportedly observed inflamed bruises around the neck and jawline that did not appear to be the result of lifesaving efforts and seemed to become more noticeable over time.

The extent and location of the injuries immediately caused concern among emergency responders, who questioned whether the child had been subjected to physical abuse.

Hospital Assessment Revealed Devastating Injuries

After being transported to a hospital, doctors conducted a comprehensive evaluation.

Medical records cited in the probable cause affidavit described notable bruising throughout the child’s body and stated that the injuries were concerning for nonaccidental trauma and possible strangulation.

Doctors also discovered a serious brain injury.

A CT scan reportedly revealed a left-sided subdural hematoma, a dangerous collection of blood between the brain and skull. Medical staff additionally documented diffuse cerebral edema, meaning severe swelling of the brain.

Hospital personnel further reported evidence of a loss of blood flow to the brain as well as a lack of oxygen reaching the brain and other internal organs.

The injuries were so severe that doctors concluded the child was unlikely to survive.

Toddler Dies Less Than Twelve Hours Later

Despite medical efforts, the child’s condition continued to deteriorate.

Authorities stated that she was declared dead less than twelve hours after arriving at the hospital.

The death triggered a major investigation involving local police, medical experts, and prosecutors.

Ruda’s Alternative Explanation

During questioning, Ruda provided another explanation for the girl’s injuries.

Through a Chuukese interpreter, he allegedly claimed that the toddler had climbed a playground slide on all fours before falling from a height of approximately six feet.

According to his account, she landed on her forehead in a bed of wood chips and became unresponsive afterward.

He claimed he was unable to wake her following the fall.

Investigators subsequently examined the scene and compared the explanation with the medical findings.

Medical Examiner Rejects Playground Fall Theory

The autopsy and forensic examination reportedly contradicted Ruda’s version of events.

The medical examiner determined that the child’s cause of death was acute left subdural hematoma due to blunt head trauma.

The manner of death was officially ruled a homicide.

During the examination, authorities documented bruises across numerous parts of the girl’s body, including her chin, chest, abdomen, arms, and legs.

According to the affidavit, the medical examiner reviewed scientific literature concerning short-distance falls involving children and considered the impact-absorbing nature of wood-chip playground surfaces.

Injuries Consistent With Abuse

The medical examiner reportedly concluded that the girl’s injuries could not be adequately explained by a fall from playground equipment.

Investigators noted the presence of injuries on body areas not typically harmed during accidental childhood falls.

Experts also pointed to the absence of abrasions that would ordinarily be expected if a child had struck wood chips after falling from a slide.

Based on the totality of the evidence, the medical examiner determined that the brain injury was abusive in nature and that the child’s injuries were highly concerning for physical child abuse.

Mother Became Suspicious After Seeing Her Daughter

One of the most emotional moments described in the court documents came when the child’s mother saw her daughter in the hospital.

According to investigators, the girl was covered with significant bruising from nearly head to toe.

After observing the extent of the injuries, the mother reportedly told police, “I think he hurt my daughter.”

Her statement became one of the factors highlighted in the investigation.

Investigators Focus on Ruda’s Behavior

Authorities also scrutinized Ruda’s demeanor following the incident.

According to police, witnesses described him as appearing unusually calm and unconcerned despite the child’s life-threatening condition.

Investigators considered his behavior suspicious given the severity of the emergency and the extensive injuries suffered by the toddler.

The affidavit indicates that law enforcement ultimately concluded that his explanations did not align with either witness observations or the medical evidence.

Months-Long Investigation Leads to Arrest

Police stated that Ruda’s arrest came after months of investigative work.

Detectives gathered witness statements, reviewed medical findings, analyzed forensic evidence, and consulted with experts before presenting the case to prosecutors.

The evidence ultimately led authorities to seek criminal charges related to the child’s death.

Criminal Charges Filed

Dison Ruda has been charged with multiple offenses in connection with the death of the 2-year-old girl.

The charges include:

• Second-degree murder
• First-degree assault
• Third-degree assault
• First-degree criminal mistreatment

Following his arrest, Ruda entered a plea of not guilty.

Upcoming Court Proceedings

Court records indicate that Ruda is scheduled to be arraigned on June 22.

As the criminal case moves forward, prosecutors are expected to rely heavily on medical testimony, forensic findings, witness accounts, and the conclusions of the medical examiner to argue that the toddler’s death resulted from abuse rather than an accidental fall or choking incident.

The case has drawn significant attention because of the tragic death of a young child and the stark contrast between the suspect’s explanations and the evidence uncovered during the investigation. Authorities continue to pursue the prosecution as the court process unfolds.