Man arrested for rape and murder of girlfriend’s 13-month-old

A man suspected of raping and killing his girlfriend’s 13-month-old girl has been arrested. Joshua Gurto had gone on the run and was last seen at a Pittsburgh convenience store late Wednesday afternoon, said Pennsylvania State Police.



The 37-year-old was taken into custody on Thursday after an officer recognized him. Gurto was arrested without a fight after the cop pulled a gun on him. He’d spent three weeks on the run and had a map and a tent in his backpack when he was captured. Aggravated murder and rape charges were filed earlier this month against the 37-year-old Gurto in the death of Sereniti Jazzlynn-Sky Blankenship-Sutley. Police responded to a call about an unresponsive child at an apartment in Conneaut, northeast of Cleveland, on October 7.

Sereniti had blunt-force injuries to her head and body. She died at a hospital. Tributes have been paid to her. Part of her obituary reads: ‘Sereniti was a loveable little girl who brought a smile to your face. Her personality was bright and her smile was contagious. ‘She loved Scooby Doo, playing video games with her mom, and sleeping with her favorite monkey her grandma made for her. Although her time here was short, the lasting memories she brought to her family will forever be treasured.’

An arrest warrant was issued for Gurto at the time of her death. A $5,000 reward was offered by the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force for information leading to his capture.