Virginia – A Virginia woman, later identified as 53-year-old Rebeca, was taken into custody and later charged with multiple charges, including aggravated murder, felony murder, and felony child abuse and neglect in connection with the death of a 4-year-old child in her care. Authorities in Virginia say two other women, 22-year-old Shaniah and 18-year-old Kemilyn, were also charged in connection with the child’s death, whose name was not released. The 22-year-old woman faced the same charges while Kemilyn was charged with felony murder and felony child abuse and neglect.
During the investigation process, Virginia authorities discovered that the defendants assumed primary duties over the children after their parents left them at their home last year. According to WP, the defendants were the victim’s relatives – grandma and two aunts. The investigation process began after one of the family members called 911 and told the dispatcher about unresponsive 4-year-old child. The victim was found unconscious by first responders, who then rushed the boy to the hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, the child was pronounced dead several hours later, authorities said.
Authorities in Virginia did not clarify the child’s exact cause of death. During the investigation process, investigators discovered that the victim and his 5-year-old sibling were subjected to a long-term abuse by the three relatives. During the investigation process, authorities reportedly discovered messages exchanged between the grandmother and one of her daughters, in which they discussed about the boy being restrained by a plastic bag while in the bathroom. One of the family members was very angry when the child was able to escape and eat a banana.
During the investigation process, authorities also learned that the relatives regularly restrained the child using pIastic wrap and a duct tape. The boy was found to be severely malnourished and dehydrated during his autopsy. Authoriteis said the exact cause of death was still to be determined by the state medical examiner. During the investigation process, authorities discovered that both the victim and his sibling were regularly starved and deprived of water. The victim’s sibling and two other children were removed from the home.
All three defendants are being held without bond and, according to the state law, the aggravated murder charge has a mandatory life sentence for a conviction. It was previously the alternative sentence to death in a capital murder charge, but Virginia no longer allows the death penalty, state officials say. This incident remains under investigation.