Father said he kept the 12-year-old son away from the family as punishment for acting really badly, only for his elder brother to find his body months later under covers on the living room floor in a state of dесау; arrested
A 45-year-old man, later identified as Romuan, has been charged with the death of his 12-year-old son, later identified as Jacarie, following a prolonged period of neglect and abuse. The charges include one count of first-degree reckless homicide, three counts of chronic neglect of a child, and one count of failure to report the death of a child. This case, which has shocked the community, highlights the severe consequences of child neglect and the importance of vigilance and intervention.
The case came to light when authorities were alerted to a “dead on entry” call at Romuan ‘s residence on October 10, 2023. Responders found Jacarie’s body in an advanced state of dесоmроѕitiоn, revealing a horrifying scene of neglect. The apartment was in disarray, with an overwhelming smell of dесау, fесеѕ, and mold. The kitchen and bathroom were littered with garbage and molded food, painting a grim picture of the living conditions. Jacarie’s older brother discovered the body. He went to check on his father’s well-being since Romuan previously claimed he was suffering from a fatal illness and didn’t have much time left. The older brother entered the residence since his father failed to answer the door. Upon entering the living room, he found his younger brother’s body laying on the floor under covers. When talking to investigators, the older brother said that their father told them Jacarie had been acting really badly, and he kept him away from the family as punishment. He also mentioned that two of his three younger brothers had been staying with their mother for the last few weeks while Jacarie remained under Romuan’s care.
The condition of Jacarie’s body, described as “extremely malnourished” and covered in maggots, along with evidence of recent and healing bone fractures, pointed to a prolonged period of suffering and neglect. Romuan’s charges stem from his failure to provide the necessary care for Jacarie, leading to the boy’s death through nutritional neglect and the failure to seek medical attention for his injuries. The unsanitary condition of their home further contributed to the chronic neglect charges. Romuan was on the run for several months and was arrested following what appeared to be an insignificant tip from a source.
The discovery of Jacarie’s body and the subsequent investigation have prompted a deeper examination of Romuan’s treatment of his children, with reports indicating that he had been keeping Jacarie “away from the family” and punishing him for “stealing food.” The autopsy findings of Jacarie’s weight at only 54 pounds and his untreated bone fractures have painted a harrowing picture of his final months. Romuan is set to be sentenced on March 7.
