WASHINGTON — Two parents in Wheaton, Maryland are facing charges after the death of their 2-year-old son.
According to the Montgomery County Police Department, officers were called to Holy Cross Hospital on Feb. 13 to investigate Matthew Navarrete-Reyes’ death. Twenty-four-year-old Blanca Rosa Reyes, Matthew’s mother, told police she had found her son moaning and unable to support himself in his crib early that morning.
Police say Matthew had suffered several traumas in the weeks before his death. Jonathan Navarrete-Turcious, 30, and Reyes told investigators Matthew had fallen several times at home, but they did not seek medical treatment. Reyes also said she had hit Matthew in the mouth as punishment less than a week before his death.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the 2-year-old’s death a homicide on June 11, with the cause of death determined to be dehydration with oral trauma and pneumonia.
Police say arrest warrants for Navarrete-Turcious and Reyes were obtained once the death was ruled a homicide. Both were arrested on Thursday and charged with second degree murder, neglect of a minor and two counts of child abuse.
Three other male children were removed from the home and placed in the custody of Child Protective Services, according to police.
