Turlock toddler house fire case takes major turn as uncle enters not-guilty plea
A heartbreaking Turlock case is now moving deeper into court after police said a 2-year-old boy was found dead inside a burned home and the child’s uncle was arrested in the case. Authorities say the fire was reported around 9:20 a.m. Wednesday in the 1200 block of Expedition in Turlock, where firefighters arrived to find heavy flames at the rear of the home spreading into the attic.
According to police, witnesses reported seeing a man leave the home shortly before the fire started. After crews got the blaze under control, firefighters searched the residence and found the 2-year-old dead in a bedroom. Investigators said the fire had been intentionally set, and officers identified 29-year-old Richard Regalado of Turlock as the child’s uncle and the last known person responsible for the child’s care.
Early public reports said Regalado was arrested on allegations of murder, aggravated arson, and child abuse causing death. The City of Turlock arrest log also lists the April 1 arrest in the 1200 block of Expedition, shows a booking time of 8:52 p.m., and lists the case under murder, aggravated arson, and assault on a child causing death.
The newest public development came Friday in Stanislaus County Superior Court. The Turlock Journal reported that Regalado entered a not-guilty plea and that prosecutors filed a criminal complaint alleging murder with special circumstances, torture, child abuse causing death, arson causing great bodily injury, arson of an inhabited structure, and possession of an arson device. The same report said those special-circumstance allegations could make the case death-penalty eligible, although prosecutors had not yet decided whether to seek death.
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That same court update said Regalado remains in custody without bail and is scheduled to return for a case management hearing at 8:30 a.m. on May 8 before Judge Robert Westbrook.
What is confirmed right now
Police and fire officials have publicly confirmed the fatal fire response, the 1200 block location, the approximate 9:20 a.m. response time, the child’s death inside the home, the arrest of Richard Regalado, and investigators’ conclusion that the fire was intentionally set. Public court reporting has also now confirmed a not-guilty plea and a broader set of filed charges than the initial arrest reports described.
What has not been publicly confirmed
In the public reporting I reviewed, authorities had not publicly released the child’s identity, a public motive, or a detailed explanation of what prosecutors believe happened inside the home before the fire. The defense position beyond the not-guilty plea also was not detailed in the reports I found.
3. Quick facts
- Location: 1200 block of Expedition in Turlock.
- Fire reported: Around 9:20 a.m. on April 1, 2026.
- Victim: 2-year-old boy found dead in a bedroom after the fire was controlled.
- Suspect identified by police: Richard Regalado, 29, of Turlock.
- Relationship: Police say Regalado was the child’s uncle and last known caregiver.
- Initial allegations: Murder, aggravated arson, and child abuse causing death.
- Latest court update: Not-guilty plea entered Friday.
- Expanded filed charges reported Friday: Murder with special circumstances, torture, child abuse causing death, arson causing great bodily injury, arson of an inhabited structure, and possession of an arson device.
- Custody status: Remains jailed without bail.
- Next hearing reported: May 8 at 8:30 a.m. before Judge Robert Westbrook.
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