Man pleads not guilty in child’s death at Oceano Dunes

Juan Nunez, 24, of Santa Maria allegedly buried his girlfriend’s son in the sand at Oceano Dunes

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A Santa Maria man accused of killing his girlfriend’s 5-year-old son by burying him in the sand at the Oceano Dunes pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and child endangerment charges Monday, the county District Attorney’s Office reported.

Prosecutors filed the felony charges Friday against Juan Francisco Nunez, 24.

Investigators say Nunez covered Jesse Alvarez’s face while playing at a beach with the child and his mother July 4.

A preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 13, said Deputy District Attorney Jerret Gran.

If convicted, Nunez faces up to 11 years in prison. He is being held at County Jail on a parole hold, jail officials said.

The boy’s death is the second this year from being buried in the sand at the Oceano Dunes.

James Lee Proffer, 52, David Wesley Cartwright, 59, and Kelly Marvin Johnson, 41, of San Luis Obispo have pleaded not guilty to charges of felony involuntary manslaughter in the May 14 death of Patricia Ann Kalbskopf. The men allegedly piled sand on top of her as a prank after she passed out from drinking, according to investigators and police reports.

— Nick Wilson