DAYANNA OROZCO - 2 yo/ Charged: Mother; Raquel Ramirez - Elizabeth NJ

Elizabeth mother charged in the death of daughter admitted to child abuse in 2012

By Tom Haydon and MaryAnn Spoto/The Star-Ledger
February 06, 2014 at 12:47 PM, updated February 06, 2014 at 4:18 PM


Raquel Ramirez of Elizabeth is accused of playing a role in the death of her 2-year-old daughter
Photo Courtesy of Union County Prosecutor's Office

ELIZABETH — A woman arrested this week following the death of her 2-year-old daughter had pleaded guilty to charges of child abuse in 2012, according to court records obtained by The Star-Ledger.

Records state that Ramirez delayed seeking help for the child after an incident in 2011 in which a child was scalded by hot water. She told authorities she did not seek treatment because she feared losing her children, according to court documents.

Raquel Ramirez, 30, was arrested Monday, one day after police responded to a 911 call at a Westfield Avenue apartment house for a child that was unresponsive. Officers found Ramirez' daughter, Dayanna Orozco, was deceased, authorities said. They said the apartment is the home of the child's father, but authorities said it is not clear whether Ramirez also resides there.

Ramirez was charged with aggravated assault of the 2 year old and is being held on $50,000 bail.

In September 2011, Elizabeth police charged Ramirez with failing to seek treatment for a child who suffered extensive burns to the child's chest, face, back and foot, according to a complaint filed in court.

Elizabeth police, in their complaint, said the child suffered extensive burns some time between May 1, 2011 and July 29 of 2011, and Ramirez waited more than a month to seek treatment for the child's injuries.

"Defendant admitted she did not take (the child) for medical treatment for a period of at least two months because she was afraid her children would be taken from her," the complaint states.

Ramirez was charged with child abuse, neglect and cruelty and in January 2012 plead guilty to child abuse. On April 5, 2012, Ramirez appeared in Superior Court in Elizabeth and was sentenced to two years probation.

As part of the plea agreement, Ramirez was required to follow all recommendations of the state Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS), according to court papers. She was also required to complete parenting classes.

The Star-Ledger has requested information about Ramirez' earlier case from the state Department of Children and Families, for formerly known as the DYFS.

The records said the child involved in the 2011 incident was born in August of 2009, and that Ramirez had custody and/or control of the toddler.

Ramirez was still on probation when she was arrested this week.

The Union County Prosecutor's Office said Dayanna died from "multiple forms of blunt force trauma."

Authorities said it wasn't immediately known whether Ramirez and the daughter's father are married or whether they have other children.