Indiana Mother and Teen Boyfriend Arrested for Murder of 4-Year-Old Daughter
In a harrowing case, 23-year-old Destiny F. Rhoades and her 16-year-old boyfriend, Christian T. Gonzalez, have been arrested and charged in connection with the death of Rhoades' 4-year-old daughter, Octavia Aquino.
Authorities have charged Rhoades with neglect of a dependent resulting in death, while Gonzalez faces a murder charge. Initially charged with battery resulting in serious bodily injury, Gonzalez's case has been transferred to adult court.
According to a news release from the Evansville Police Department, officers responded to an emergency call around 9 a.m. on Friday, June 14, at a residence on Spring Valley Road. The caller, one of three adult women living in the home with Rhoades, Gonzalez, and Octavia, reported finding the child unresponsive and "beyond help." First responders described Octavia as "cold to the touch" upon arrival. Despite efforts by the Evansville Fire Department to revive her, Octavia was transported to a local hospital with minimal brain activity.
Rhoades, who was at work when her daughter was found, stated she left before 7 a.m., with Octavia asleep. She and the other adult roommates were questioned by police, but Gonzalez was not initially questioned due to his age.
"A roommate stated that she noticed the child had bruises on her body yesterday, specifically around her neck area,” the release states. “She also had a human bite mark on her forearm. Detectives were told the 16-year-old boyfriend admitted he bit the child, but only after she bit him first. A roommate reported that the child seemed to be ‘staring off and was nauseous’ while in Rhoades’ care last night. All three of these circumstances went unreported to law enforcement or medical staff during their occurrence.”
Police identified Gonzalez as Rhoades' boyfriend, noting they arrived in Evansville together earlier this year when Gonzalez was 15. He had been reported missing from Fort Wayne, Indiana, and was detained by Evansville police in February, only to flee a youth home shortly after. When found again, he was with Rhoades at her home.
"He was placed at the Youth Care Center (YCC) and eventually transported back to Fort Wayne. Rhoades was arrested for contributing to the delinquency of a minor,” police said. “When she was released from jail, she returned to Fort Wayne until her pending court date, around April 11th. Her 16-year-old boyfriend went missing again around the time she returned to Evansville for court.”
Both Rhoades and Gonzalez are currently held at the Vanderburgh County Confinement Center without bond.
コメント