Mom, uncle charged in beating death of 9-year-old boy who was punished for eating cake
On Monday, Maryland mother Oriana Iris Garcia, 26, and uncle Jacob Andrew Barajas, 23, were charged with second-degree murder and first-degree child abuse for their involvement in the death of 9-year-old son, Jack Kirby Garcia. Jack died earlier this month after he was allegedly beaten by Oriana’s boyfriend, Robert Leroy Wilson, 30, for eating off-limits birthday cake. Robert was charged with assault and child abuse last week.
According to police and charging documents via The Washington Post, Oriana let Jacob and Robert watch her son while she was at work on June 30. While she was gone, the men handcuffed Jack to a chair and Robert allegedly beat him. Oriana later told police her boyfriend punched Jack in the stomach because he “stole” birthday cake intended for Robert’s baby. Jack’s birthday had been just days earlier.
Robert Leroy Wilson
After he was beaten, Jack had trouble breathing, and an unidentified adult in the apartment called 911. Oriana got home from work before the responders arrived and, when they did, she met them outside and told them Jack was just “congested.” She sent them away without allowing them to see the boy. They were called back later when, as Oriana said, Jack “started gurgling when he would take a breath.” He was taken to the hospital, where he died on July 5. Even though his autopsy hasn’t been completed, authorities noted bruises all over his body, and extensive head injuries.
During the investigation, Oriana told police her boyfriend often hit Jack with a piece of bamboo shaped like a sword, slapped him in the face, and handcuffed him “for a few hours at a time” to teach him “what’s going to happen in jail.” She, her boyfriend, and Jack’s uncle also punished the boy for “stealing food” by forcing him to eat until he was sick.
Oriana and Jacob were arrested this week, after authorities learned they planned to flee to the West Coast. They remain in jail on $5 million bonds. Robert’s bail is $1 million.
