JERAMY MARQUEZ CASTRO -1 yo (2011)/ Charged: Maria Mendez-Briones - Dorchester SC

Babysitter arrested, charged in 1-year-old boy's death


DORCHESTER COUNTY, SC (WCSC) - The babysitter of a 1-year-old boy was arrested Friday and charged in his death.

The Dorchester County Sheriff's Office arrested Maria Mendez-Briones, 30, of Summerville, and charged her with one count of homicide by child abuse.

According to the Dorchester County Coroner's Office, Jeramy Marquez Castro was beaten in the head until he was unconscious and died Wednesday night. The coroner says the baby died of brain swelling from multiple blunt force.

Deputies say Mendez-Briones was the victim's babysitter and that evidence shows she struck the boy in the head several times, which later caused his death. Mendez-Briones is currently being held in the Dorchester County Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing.

The incident occurred Wednesday night when deputies with the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office and emergency officials responded to Jennings Drive in Dorchester County in reference to a call of an unresponsive child.

Deputies started CPR before EMS arrived at the scene, but despite everyone's efforts, the baby died.

The coroner's office reports that the boy's mother did not know what happened until she called to say she was picking the victim and her other children up from the babysitter.



http://www.live5news.com/Global/story.asp?S=14056129

Sitter admits to hitting baby, affidavit says

Schuyler Kropf
Posted: Saturday, February 19, 2011 12:01 a.m.
Updated: Friday, March 23, 2012 7:00 p.m.

Schuyler (Kropf/Staff) Maria Guadalupe Mendez-Briones, 30, of Summerville, is escorted into Dorchester County Magistrate's Court on Friday. She is charged with homicide by child abuse in the death of 1-year-old Jeramy Marquez Castro. The woman was identified as the child's baby sitter when he was injured in her care. She reportedly admitted to authorities that she hit him with a closed fist several times. Bond was denied. As a potential life behind bars crime, bond can only be determined by a circuit judge. Buy this photo

SUMMERVILLE -- The family of Jeramy Marquez Castro said they were looking forward to celebrating his first birthday Friday.

Instead, their thoughts are locked on his funeral and the pain of knowing that someone they'd been close to for years is accused in his death.

According to authorities, Maria Guadalupe Mendez-Briones said she punched 1-year-old Jeramy Marquez Castro in the head several times. The boy died Wednesday. According to authorities, Maria Guadalupe Mendez-Briones said she punched 1-year-old Jeramy Marquez Castro in the head several times. The boy died Wednesday.

Bond was denied Friday for 30-year-old Maria Guadalupe Mendez-Briones, Jeramy's baby sitter, who authorities said admitted to beating the child Wednesday night in her home.

She confirmed "punching the victim in the head with a closed fist numerous times and then laying him down for a nap, thus the manner and cause of death," a Dorchester County Sheriff's Office arrest affidavit states.

Mendez-Briones is charged with one count of homicide by child abuse. Because the charge can draw up to a life sentence behind bars, only a circuit judge could set bond and conditions of release. Court papers also refer to her as being "here illegally and is a major flight risk."

Jeramy's father spoke briefly to Magistrate Arthur Bryngelson, saying the family wanted to make his birthday a special occasion. "The only thing I want to say is everybody -- me and my family -- has suffered a lot," said Victor Castro, 32. "And I want her to feel the way we do right now."

Mendez-Briones, a native of Mexico City, spoke little during the bond hearing. She was represented by a lawyer and an interpreter.

Her attorney, David Aylor, said the two families involved have known each other for about 12 years, and that Mendez-Briones, of 116 Jennings Drive, has lived in the Summerville area for the past five years. "She does realize why she is here," Aylor said. "She is very scared and saddened by what has occurred."

Mendez-Briones is married and has two children of her own. "I don't work," she told Bryngelson. "I just take care of children in my home."

According to authorities, the child had been dropped off at Mendez-Briones' residence around 11:30 a.m. that day. At 6:30 p.m., the child's mother, Teresa Marquez, called and the sitter told her the boy had become unresponsive. The mother called 911 and summoned help.

When deputies and responders arrived, Mendez-Briones reportedly told authorities she had put the toddler to bed at 3:30 p.m., and when she checked on him at 6 p.m. he was breathing and OK. The infant died a short while later at Summerville Medical Center of brain swelling as a result of being beaten, authorities said.

Sheriff L.C. Knight described the infant's injuries as a "strike to the head, somewhat close to the hair line."

The case is the second suspicious death of a toddler in Dorchester County in as many months. On Jan. 8, 16-month-old Rowan Bracci of Ridgeville died of injuries inflicted by a blow or several blows to the head. Two people are charged with homicide by child abuse in that case.

Knight told members of the media after the hearing that too often these types of child abuse cases are being fueled by adults failing to keep their emotions in check.

"It just appears that maybe it's an anger-management issue," he said. "It appears, in my mind, they are losing control."

Mendez-Briones is being held in the Dorchester County Detention Center.

http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20110219/PC1602/302199948