By: Jennifer SaucedoA man found guilty in connection with his adoptive daughter's death has passed away.Norberto Velasquez, 49, died over the weekend.Last month, a jury convicted him of not getting medical attention for Melody Velasquez, 3.Velasquez and his partner, Matthew Aranda, told authorities Melody had fallen down the stairs. Investigators say the couple waited more than 30 hours before they called 911.Prosecutors say an autopsy showed the toddler died from blunt force trauma. Melody's death was ruled a homicide.Velasquez's attorney says his client had been suffering from pneumonia. Back on November 8, the same day he was found guilty of injury to a child by omission, Velasquez was taken away from the courtroom in an EMS stretcher. His attorney said he believes Velasquez never left the hospital.When he lost his child he took it as hard as any parent would take it, said Velasquez's attorney Raymond Martinez. I really think he lost his will to live not because of the conviction, but because of the loss and people thinking he contributed to it when all he ever did was try to do the best he could.The same jury that convicted Velasquez recommended a ten year probation sentence. Matthew Aranda, who is charged with Melody's murder, is set to go to trial in February.
