RANCHO SAN DIEGO – A 5-year-old girl has died after authorities say her 11-year-old half sister beat her to death while baby-sitting her and her younger brother Friday night.

The girl was found by her father when he returned home about 9 p.m. Friday after a several-hour absence, according to the Sheriff's Department. He called 911 and performed first aid on the 5-year-old. Authorities said the girl's injuries were so severe that she was put on life-support in critical condition at a hospital.

She died shortly before noon Saturday, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office.

Her death is being investigated as a homicide, authorities said, and her sister was in custody at Juvenile Hall. The 6-year-old brother who was also under the 11-year-old's care was taken to Polinsky Children's Center emergency shelter, officials said.
A neighbor in the condominium complex on Via Rancho San Diego near Jamacha Road described the father as a man who seemed nice and who liked to talk about cars. Authorities did not say whether the dead girl's father would face charges for leaving the children at home alone.

Officials said the victim's mother and father spent Friday night at her bedside at the hospital.

:no :(

OMG that's awful :no

Am I the only one that thinks 11 is a bit young to be babysitting two kids for several hours? I could be way off base, as I don't have an 11 year old -but it just seems odd to me.

i dont think its too odd:dunno they were her brother and sister..its not like they were infants. Why would and 11yo do that??:no

:sadeyes My prayers are with that family and I'm thinking of that sweet angel.

That is absolutely sickening. What the hell has been happening lately?

:shock :tears :sadeyes :(

:tears that is so terribly sad. I really hope the father is punished in some way.

Am I the only one that thinks 11 is a bit young to be babysitting two kids for several hours?

I agree that 11 seems to be a little young to be left alone in charge of another child. I don't have children so I may be wrong but I know when I was 11 my parents would not have left me with my little brother for several hours. Maybe a quick trip to the store but not for a long period of time. Regardless, the 11 year old had no reason for beating her sister :no

OMG!! That is horrible!

That is so very sad. I too think an 11 yr old was probably too young to be left alone with the kids for an extended amount of time. I can not imagine what could have gone on in that house before the "beating".

Sorry guys- but I totally disagree. I was babysitting at 11 and I don't think the father should be punished in any way. OBVIOUSLY, this girl has MAJOR issues- now whether the father knew this and left her alone with the kids is one thing. If this came from left field though, I don't think the parents were in the wrong for leaving the 11 year old to watch her siblings. If this girl was capable of killing her sister, she could have done it anytime(not just when babysitting).

thats so horrible

:( I baby sat my sister and even a couple of other children when I was 11. I don't think it's too young and I couldn't even imagine beating someone to death at that age either.

i think the big issue is that the the original article said he was out of town not just letting her babysit. i babysat at 11 too but i think that the father should be held accountable if something can prove that the 11 year old was not responsible or in her right mind