Family members of a Sierra Vista toddler who died one year ago after suffering a serious brain injury gathered Thursday to remember the boy’s life and to draw attention to their #JusticeForBubs campaign in hopes that someone is prosecuted for his death.
Kenny “Bubs” Gamble II was found unresponsive on June 3, 2020 while in the care of Daniel Foster, the boyfriend of Alysha Hop, the boy’s mother. The toddler died three days later at a Tucson hospital. An autopsy revealed his death was due to blunt trauma to the head, resulting in a lack of oxygen or blood flow to the brain.
Thursday’s ceremony at a local park brought family and friends together to comfort each other and to share memories of the boy. In comments directed to the toddler, his uncle Ryan Hop expressed how painful and shocking the death remains, but wanted the boy to know his family is “still fighting for you.”
Ryan Hop also noted there is some comfort to be found from the aftermath of the tragedy, calling the toddler “a little hero” who saved lives with the donation of his organs. The uncle also noted the boy “saved your sister’s lives from what could have been a terrible fate.”
Det. Paul Youman of the Sierra Vista Police Department was assigned to the case after the toddler was found unresponsive around 11 a.m. on June 3, 2020. The initial autopsy was inconclusive on whether the boy’s injuries were the result of a homicide or accident, or whether his death could have been prevented if the boy’s mother or Foster sought medical treatment sooner.
Youman previously identified Foster as a suspect and Alysha Hop as a person of interest in his investigation. Most of his reports are restricted from public access, but available records reveal his interest in Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) files.
A few months ago Youman referred his files to Cochise County Attorney Brian McIntyre for review. The detective declined to comment on what other investigative activities have occurred the last year, but he is hopeful there will be “some movement” in the case this month.
Whether criminal charges will be filed against anyone is a decision that will be made by the county attorney. On Thursday, McIntyre told Arizona Daily Independent the file related to the toddler’s death remains active and open.
“While we cannot comment on specifics due to the ongoing investigation into the matter, we continue to work with SVPD and the medical evidence to determine the most appropriate outcome,” McIntyre told Arizona Daily Independent.
After a 911 call from Foster, Sierra Vista Fire & Medical personnel provided paramedic services until the boy arrived at Canyon Vista Medical Center. At some point the toddler’s heart stopped, but was later restarted through medical intervention.
The toddler was transferred to Banner UMC in Tucson where doctors determined he had suffered irreparable brain damage and could not breathe on his own. The family discontinued life support June 6.
The autopsy report lists the boy’s official cause of death as hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and there was fluid build-up and swelling around the toddler’s brain, as well as retinal and optic hemorrhaging. The autopsy report also described several contusions across the youngster’s scalp, including one that measured roughly 2.3 inches by 2 inches on the back of his head.
Anyone with information about the death of Kenny “Bubs” Gamble is asked to call Youman at 520-452-7500.