Arrests Announced in Killings of Fresno Infant, Woman

FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — 30-year-old Kenneth Johnson has been jailed, in the death of 14-month-old Jose Espionza.

Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer says Espionza’s mother left him the hands of Johnson’s 20-year-old girlfriend, who had a restraining order against him.

After denying accusations, Johnson has since admitted to detectives that he punched the baby in the stomach, because he kept crying.

(Kenneth Johnson, Photo: Fresno PD)

In a separate homicide case, 49-year-old David Pena has been arrested, in connection with the stabbing death of his estranged wife, 51-year-old Martha Mendiola.

Her body was discovered at Shields and Anna on Tuesday, after she had been reported missing.

Dyer says at this point, it appears Pena acted alone.