DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CA. – A 7-year-old boy was savagely beaten unconscious by a 32-year-old man Desert Hot Springs Police said.
Desert Hot Springs Police responded to the 9600 block of Vista Del Valle for the report of the small child lying unconscious in the street. The boy was rushed to Desert Regional Medical Center and subsequently airlifted to Loma Linda Medical Center with a critical closed head injury.
At the time it was unknown how the child was injured which led to an investigation. According to the Go Fund Me page set up by the family, Gavin was walking home after swimming with a friend.
The suspect, who lived in the same neighborhood, was captured on surveillance footage picking up the child and throwing him onto his head. The apparently unprovoked attack led to the identification of Daniel Poulsen.
On July 19, 2020, at around 1:34 a.m., Poulsen was arrested and charged with attempted murder. Gavin’s mother, who works as a teacher, recently lost her husband to cancer and now is raising two children on her own. Now she must be by her child’s side as he fights for his life.
Anyone with information pertaining to this investigation is encouraged to contact Detective Tooth at 760-329-2904 Ext: 352.
