A California-based daycare owner, Roxanne Helus, 49, is facing charges of second-degree murder following the death of a four-month-old infant, Christian Olvera, who was under her care. Initially, Helus was charged with child endangerment after the incident on October 22, but the charges were escalated during her arraignment at a San Joaquin County courthouse.
The Manteca Police Department reported that they were called to Helus’ residence, where she operated her daycare service, following a distress call about a baby who was not breathing. Upon arrival, they found another adult performing CPR on the infant. Helus was reportedly intoxicated at the time.
The infant, Christian, was rushed to a local hospital on the afternoon of October 22 and later transferred to Oakland Children’s Hospital. He was removed from life support two days later on October 24. The police reported that there were no visible signs of trauma on the child. The results of an autopsy are yet to be made public.
Helus was initially arrested and charged with child endangerment. She was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail, posted bond, and was subsequently released. During her court appearance for her arraignment, she was charged with second-degree murder in relation to Christian’s death. Additional charges include willful cruelty to a child and causing great bodily injury to a child resulting in death.
At the time of the incident, there were four other adults present at Helus’ home-based daycare, Cherished Years Daycare, assisting with the care of three other children. No other children were reported to have been harmed.
Helus was ordered to return to jail and is currently being held without bond. Her attorney, Eugene Kilbride, expressed condolences to the family, describing Christian’s death as a “terrible and tragic incident.” However, he contested the murder charge, arguing that there was no “willful conduct” on Helus’ part.
Erica Valdivia, a cousin to Christian, shared the family’s grief with local ABC affiliate KGTV, recounting the painful moment when Christian was taken off life support. Helus is scheduled to appear in court again on December 4.