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3-year-old Beaten to Death by Caregivers in Minnesota; Pair Arrested after Doctors found Severe Bruising throughout Body: Police Say

3-year-old Beaten to Death by Caregivers in Minnesota; Pair Arrested after Doctors found Severe Bruising throughout Body: Police Say

Two caregivers in Minnesota have been taken into custody and charged with the tragic death of a 3-year-old boy, who was reportedly the victim of severe physical abuse.

Rosa Esperanza Garza, 24, and Shiann Lynn Erickson, 22, were arrested on Monday and charged with one count each of second-degree murder without intent in connection with the death of young Eastyn James Deronjic, according to authorities.

A news release from the Moorhead Police Department states that officers and emergency medical personnel were called to an apartment complex in Moorhead in response to a 3-year-old child who was not breathing. The home is located approximately 230 miles northwest of Minneapolis.

Upon arrival, first responders quickly found the injured child, later identified as Eastyn, and immediately provided life-saving care. He was then transported by ambulance to Sanford Hospital. Regrettably, the child did not survive his injuries and was declared deceased shortly after arriving at the facility.

According to the police, Eastyn and his younger sibling had been residing with Garza and Erickson in their Moorhead home for a significant amount of time. Garza and Erickson were referred to as “acquaintances” of the biological parents of the children.

After Eastyn’s tragic passing, his sibling was taken out of the home and put into protective custody.

The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office performed an autopsy on Eastyn, but no details about the cause of death were disclosed. Officials are currently awaiting the results of a toxicology screening.

A recent report revealed that authorities received the autopsy report on June 28, which concluded that the child’s death was a result of a homicide. The cause of death was determined to be a blunt force injury that caused a perforation in his bowel. Aside from the fatal blow, Eastyn allegedly sustained 28 blunt-force injuries across his body.

3-year-old Beaten to Death by Caregivers in Minnesota; Pair Arrested after Doctors found Severe Bruising throughout Body Police Say (1)
Image: Law and Crime

According to reports, the mother of the children informed the police that she had not laid eyes on her kids for approximately two weeks. According to her, when she last saw them, she thought Eastyn’s bruises were a result of his lack of coordination. She recently had a conversation with the boy shortly before his passing, noting that he appeared unwell but otherwise fine.

According to reports, Garza and Erickson stated that the bruising on Eastyn’s face occurred the day prior to his passing. According to reports reviewed by Law and Crime, he was experiencing nausea and lost consciousness, resulting in a head injury. According to Garza, the boy had also experienced some accidents involving his bike and skateboard earlier that day.

Garza and Erickson are currently being detained in the Clay County Jail without the possibility of bond. They will be appearing in court for the first time on Tuesday.

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