Uncle faces murder charge after 2-year-old is found dead in burned Turlock home
The uncle of a 2-year-old boy found dead by firefighters in a Turlock home Wednesday morning faces murder and related charges, the city’s Police Department reported.
At the crime scene on the 1200 block of Expedition Street, witnesses told police they saw a person leave the area just prior to the fire, according to a TPD news release.
Once the fire was under control, firefighters searched the residence and located the toddler’s body in a bedroom.
“Our crews arrived to a home fully engulfed in flames with reports that a child was inside,” Deputy Fire Chief Chris Jelinek said in the news release. “Firefighters worked quickly to control the fire and search the home under extremely difficult conditions. This is a tragic outcome that weighs heavily on everyone who responded.”
The case was assigned as a homicide investigation to police detectives, who determined the fire was intentionally set. The individual located near the scene was identified as the boy’s uncle and the last known person responsible for his care.
Richard Regalado, 29, of Turlock, was arrested and booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center on the charges of murder, aggravated arson and child abuse causing death.
Regalado and his nephew both resided in the home, TPD spokesperson Dominique Roton told The Bee. The uncle has baby-sat the child before, she said. Wednesday, the boy was in Regalado’s care for just over an hour while his parents were at work.
As of Thursday morning, the Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office had not released the child’s identity.
“This is the kind of call that stays with you,” Police Chief Jason Hedden said in the news release. “It impacts everyone who responded. A 2-year-old child lost their life in a way no child ever should. Our hearts are with the family, and we will do everything we can to ensure accountability.”
It was about 9:20 a.m. Wednesday when the Turlock Fire Department responded to the call. Crews found heavy fire in the rear of the structure that had extended into the attic.
Turlock Fire and its Modesto-Stanislaus resource-sharing partners responded with a 25 fire personnel, as well as American Medical Response Units. The Stanislaus Regional Fire Investigation Unit also responded and will be responsible for determining the cause and origin of the fire, the news release said.
Turlock police officers assisted with evacuations and securing the area.
The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to contact police Detective Giovacchini at 209-668-6539.
Tips also may be made to Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Tips also can be submitted via www.stancrimetips.org.
This story was originally published April 1, 2026 at 7:49 PM.
