Mom, juvenile boyfriend abused minor girl, didn’t help her to recover and left her home alone ‘with very little brain activity’ before she died: charged
Indianapolis, Indiana – A disturbing case that took place in Indiana has come to light involving the death of a 4-year-old girl, O. Aquino, leading to serious charges against her mother and a teenager. D. Rhoades, 23, and C. Gonzalez, 16, face severe legal consequences following the tragic event. The situation began to unfold when police were called to the scene on the morning of June 14, after Rhoades’ roommate discovered Aquino unresponsive in their apartment. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Aquino exhibited minimal brain activity and was pronounced dead shortly after.
Initially, Rhoades faced charges of neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury. Following Aquino’s death, this was upgraded to a level one felony for neglect of a dependent resulting in death. Similarly, Gonzalez’s charge escalated from battery causing serious bodily injury to murder. These legal adjustments reflect the grave nature of the incident, highlighting the severe implications of their alleged actions.
The police report reveals troubling details about the state of the child at the time of discovery. An adult roommate found Aquino unresponsive and noted that she had bruises around her neck and a human bite mark on her forearm. The little girl was then transported to a hospital, where she passed away. This led to further investigation by the police. According to reports, Rhoades left her daughter sleeping around 7 a.m. and had been at work when her daughter was found. During the investigation, Gonzalez admitted to biting the child but claimed it was a reactionary measure after she bit him first. This incident and other disturbing elements of the case were part of a broader pattern of abusive behavior toward the little girl.
The investigation also brought to light a troubling history between Rhoades and Gonzalez. The pair had moved to Indiana earlier in the year, and in February, police found Gonzalez after he was reported missing.. He was temporarily placed in a youth home, from which he soon fled, only to be found again at Rhoades’ residence. Rhoades had previously been arrested for contributing to the delinquency of a minor when she was found with Gonzalez, who was a minor at the time. She faced a level four felony charge and was briefly incarcerated before being released to await a court date in April. Coinciding with her court appearance, Gonzalez went missing once again.
As the community grapples with the shock of this case, both Rhoades and Gonzalez await further legal proceedings. Rhoades and Gonzalez face serious legal consequences as the court proceedings continue, highlighting the severity of the charges against them. The events leading up to Aquino’s death have sparked discussions on child safety, the role of guardians, and the systemic issues that fail to protect the most vulnerable. As the legal process unfolds, many are calling for stricter measures and more vigilant oversight to prevent future tragedies of this nature. The legal system is now tasked with unraveling the details of this case and ensuring justice for Aquino, whose life was tragically cut short under dire circumstances.
