Gerardo Mendoza was arrested on suspicion of drowning his daughter, 4, in a church's baptismal pool on Sunday
He was found naked in the church parking lot clutching his dead child
The man's partially-clothed nine-year-old son was stood next to him.
Investigators believe that the youngster was 'intentionally drowned'
The married father-of-four is being held in jail without bail over the death
Police found Gerardo Mendoza Ordaz, 42, of Healdsburg, California, standing naked in a police station parking lot, clutching the young girl in his arms.
Police found Gerardo Mendoza Ordaz, 42, of Healdsburg, California, standing naked in a police station parking lot, clutching the young girl in his arms
A father-of-four has been accused of drowning his four-year-old daughter in a church's baptismal pool.
Police found Gerardo Mendoza Ordaz, 42, of Healdsburg, California, standing naked in a police station parking lot, clutching the young girl in his arms.
Mendoza's partially-clothed, nine-year-old son, was standing next to him.
The distraught father was screaming 'help' and 'police' when officers arrived at around 8.30pm on Sunday.
Investigators believe that Ordaz drowned his daughter in the sanctuary pool at Healdsburg's St. John the Baptist Catholic Church before carrying the soaking wet little girl to the local police station.
The youngster was taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead.
An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the cause of death, but investigators believe she was 'intentionally drowned'.
Authorities said the church is routinely left unlocked and has a sanctuary pool that is at least a foot deep.
Healdsburg Police Department Chief Kevin Burke said police had taken statements from both Ordaz - who lives with his wife and their children - and the suspect's son who were the only people in the church at the time.
'We cannot disclose a motive at this time, but we determined it was not accidental,' Burke told Kron 4.
Police also searched the family's home but say they have no records of any domestic violence calls from the address.
'Sunday night there was tragedy in the church; a little girl lost her life,' Fr. Sean Rogers, pastor of the church, said on a statement posted on the Santa Rosa Diocese's website.
'When police finish the investigation we will know more. In the meantime, please pray for the family, and the parish community.'
Crime scene investigators with the state department of justice were called to help evaluate the scene for Healdsburg police because of staffing limitations, Healdsburg Police Chief Kevin Burke said.
'It's a very complicated investigation. We've had staffing up all night,' Burke said. 'It's a very challenging and tragic case.'
Ordaz was arrested on suspicion of murder and booked Monday morning into the Sonoma County Jail without bail.
No mass was held at the church on Monday in the wake of Sunday's tragedy.
Cc:daily mail
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