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Calgary

Emilio Perdomo suffered many brutal injuries before dying, document reveals as manslaughter trial date set

The injuries that led to the death of a five-year-old Calgary boy, Emilio Perdomo, were extensive and brutal, according to new details released on the same day as a trial date was set for two family members charged with manslaughter. Warning: This story contains details that could be disturbing to some readers.

Warning: This story contains details that could be disturbing to some readers

Carolina Del Carmen Perdomo and Allan Edgardo Perdomo Lopez are charged with manslaughter in the death of Emilio Perdomo, 5. (Mike Symington/CBC)

The injuries that led to the death of afive-year-old Calgary boy were extensive and brutal, according to a court document released on the same day as a trial date was set fortwofamily members charged with manslaughter.

Emilio Perdomowas brought to hospital on July 9, 2015, suffering from injuries that the accusedAllanPerdomo, 56, and wifeCarolina Perdomo, 49 said at the time werethe result of numerous accidents. Hedied in hospital seven days later from a severe headinjury.

The court document obtained Tuesdayshed fresh light on those injuries, which includedabrain bleed, a broken arm and bruises on his arms, face, legs, back, chest, stomach, knuckles and genitals.

The document also says the boy was not, in fact, the grandson of Allan Perdomo and the step-grandson of Carolina Perdomo, as police had earlier indicated but the product of an affair that Allan Perdomo had with a woman in Mexico.

Allan Perdomowas contacted by that woman, who asked him if she couldsend their son to live with him in Canada, according to the search warrant application that detailssome of the early evidence gathered by investigators before charges were laid.

The couple's explanations thatEmilio'sinjuries stemmed from falling down stairs, falling off his bicycle, tripping over a garden box and being knocked down by the family dog were of immediate concern to doctors at the Alberta Children's Hospital,whotold police his multiple injuries were not typical.

His injuries included "a goose-egg bruise as large as you can get on the back of his head that was full of fluid," one of the doctors told Det. Michael Smith of the Calgary police child abuse unit.

"Dr.Blackwoodhad significant concerns that the injuries toEmiliowere inflicted on him," reads the information to obtain (ITO), released Tuesday.

WhenEmilioarrived at the hospital, he was unresponsive and suffering from seizures.

Officers wanted to search home for blood

Doctors found bleeding on his brain and Emilio underwent emergency surgery. Doctors also noted he had an older brain bleed.

Emiliowas still in hospital whenSmith applied for the search warrant. Officers wanted access to the home to takemeasurements of the bike, stairs and garden box.

Officers were also searching for the Disney pyjamas thatEmiliowas wearing the night he was injured before Allan and Carolina changed the unconscious boy into jeans and took him to hospital.

They also wanted access to a computer and photos ofEmilioand to look for blood inside the home using a forensiclightsource.

Despite the Perdomostelling investigators thatEmiliohad bruising when he arrived in Canada, photos taken in February andMarch show no obvious bruising until May when a photo shows bruises on his cheek, under his eye and on his elbow, the ITO says.

Carolina Perdomo told police that her husbandhad used a belt in the past to disciplineEmilio.

'Covert techniques' and wiretaps planned for investigation

ThePerdomostookEmilioto the hospital on July 9, 2015, and a week later the search warrant was requested.

"I believe thatEmiliois the victim of aggravated assault," wrote Smith in the ITO at the time.

Smith asked a judge to seal the ITO for a year because the investigation was ongoing and police planned to use wiretaps and other "covert techniques."

On Tuesday, lawyers set a trial date of May 1, 2017,to be heard by provincial court judge alone over a six-week period.

"Our clients want this dealt with, of course, in the most expeditiously and timely manner as possible." said Brendan Miller, the lawyer who represents CarolinaPerdomo.

The Perdomos havebeen released on bail and have been required to surrender their passports,post a surety of $5,000 and cannot have contact with each other.

The pair also face separate fraud charges, accused of lyingto the Alberta government in order to collect social assistance.