FABIAN SILVA - 4 yo (2008) - Tucson AZ

A Tucson man who was facing a potential life sentence in the
death of his girlfriend's 4-year-old son pleaded guilty to
manslaughter Tuesday and is now facing between 12 and 21 years in prison.
Alejandro Miguel Romero, 27, told Judge Edgar Acuña he found
Fabian Silva at the bottom of some stairs Jan. 26, 2008, but he
didn't call 911, nor did he take the boy directly to the hospital.
Fabian was declared brain-dead at University Medical Center, and
he died the next day after being taken off of life support.
An autopsy showed the cause of Fabian's death was blunt-force trauma to the head.
The boy's mother, Marina Baker, was charged with child abuse,
and Romero was charged with first-degree murder, four counts of
child abuse, aggravated assault of a minor and possession of marijuana.
Romero's trial was scheduled to be held this week and next.
Deputy Pima County Attorney Susan Eazer said the case was
negotiated so Fabian's older brother, who is now 10, would not have to testify.
Defense attorney Brick Storts said his client agreed to plead
guilty for several reasons. Judge Acuña ruled the jury would know
the fact Romero was using cocaine and marijuana around the time of
the boy's death and that Baker, who was scheduled to testify in
Romero's case, pleaded guilty to a felony last year.
The jury would've figured out Baker was convicted in Fabian's
death, and they would be unlikely to acquit Romero knowing Baker
was convicted, Storts said.
Baker is serving seven years' probation after pleading guilty to
child abuse under circumstances likely to cause death.
In addition, the questionnaires made it clear the defense would
have an uphill battle simply because the case involved the death of a child, Storts said.
On the day Fabian suffered his fatal injuries, Romero told
authorities he found Fabian unresponsive but "snoring" at the foot
of the stairs. He put Fabian in his car, picked up Fabian's brother
from catechism class and then took him to the hospital.
Romero, who has been free on bail for several months, must turn
himself into authorities today. He is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 4.