Overview
- Prosecutors, who announced the case Monday, filed nine felony counts against the now 18-year-old cousin, including murder, multiple sexual assaults, child assault causing death, and assault with a hair tie.
- Jaxon Juarez was found unresponsive in his crib on April 5, the teen was arrested April 8, and the toddler died at the hospital on April 9 while a full autopsy remains pending.
- Investigators say evidence shows the child was repeatedly abused after his February placement in the relative’s home, and a hair tie was found around his neck on Easter Sunday.
- The caregiver, identified in reports as the suspect’s mother and Jaxon’s aunt, had a prior felony child-endangerment conviction that county policy says should have barred placement, and county and state reviews are now underway as the DA also examines whether others could face charges.
- The DA has moved to transfer the case to adult court, a process that could take months, with the next hearing set for May 21 and potential penalties ranging from up to seven years in juvenile custody to many years in state prison if tried as an adult.