Jaquelne Escareno announces she will not testify
A Criminal Court jury on Friday afternoon found a woman who was charged in the death of a 23-month-old boy guilty as charged of criminally negligent homicide.
Jaquelne Escareno, who had pleaded not guilty, faces 1-2 years in prison.
Ms. Escareno did not testify, but the jury heard her tell a police detective that Demarcus Bryant and his four-year-old sister were "like my grandchildren."
She said, "These children are my life."
Ms. Escareno told the detective that the boy was extremely active the night before his death, including kicking his sister repeatedly in bed. She said she finally took him from the bed and placed him in a crib for the night.
The next morning, she said she was awakened by the young girl. She said she asked her where her brother was.
Ms. Escareno said she then went to the crib and called Demarcus, but "he didn't say nothing."
She said she grabbed his leg "and it was stiff."
At that point, Ms. Escareno said she then took the sister and they walked outside, where she called 911.
She told the detective, "I still don't believe he's dead."
During his autopsy, a Fentanyl patch was found on his back.
Prosecutor Leslie Longshore said, "It was firmly adhered. It had to be pulled off with forceps."
Attorney Lloyd Levitt said the patch apparently was transferred from the arm of Ms. Escareno to the child's back when she lifted him out of a bathtub. He said she did not notice that it was missing until later.
The incident happened March 22, 2014.
AnCharlene Davis also prosecuted the case.