Burned Woman's Newborn Dies

By ANGELA DELGADO The Tampa Tribune

Published: Dec 17, 2007

Mike Bustamante Jr. weighed 18 ounces when he arrived three months early Thursday, hours after his mother was kidnapped and burned during a Lake Wales robbery.

He died Sunday morning at Orlando Regional Medical Center, according to the Lake Wales Police Department.

His mother, Juanita Luciano, 23, and aunt, Yvonne Bustamante, 26, remain at the hospital in critical but stable condition. They were burned during a robbery at the Headley Nationwide Insurance office where they worked. Doctors performed an emergency Caesarean section on Luciano, trying to save her baby's life.

"Our thoughts and prayers remain with the victims and their families," Lake Wales Police Chief Herbert Gillis said in a statement. "Words cannot describe the grief, loss and sorrow the families and our community have experienced.

"Leon Davis Jr. has taken from our community an innocent and precious life. The members of the Lake Wales Police Department will not rest until certain and swift justice is obtained for the victims of this evil and senseless attack."

Davis, 30, faces attempted murder and arson charges in the attacks on Luciano and Bustamante. He is being held without bail and also will be charged in the Dec. 7 slaying of two gas station employees, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.

There will be a prayer service for Bustamante, Luciano and her son at noon Thursday, near the Headley insurance office, 124 West Central Ave., Lake Wales. The public is invited.

Reporter Angela Delgado can be reached at (813) 865-1501 or adelgado@tampatrib.com.