The prosecution said: The mother and her boyfriend were subjected to horrific torture She rescued her 6-year-old son before he died from his injuries in Detroit.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said in charging documents that 25-year-old Elena Rose Jennings and her boyfriend, 32-year-old Daniel John Giacchina, stapled their son to a wall and shot him multiple times with a BB gun.
“We have spent over 100 hours reviewing the shocking videos, photos, text messages and Facebook chats that tell the horrific story of what happened to this six-year-old boy.”
The horrific abuse came to light after firefighters and police were called to the couple’s residence in a mobile home community on July 30.
His mother called police to report that her son, Giovanni “Chulo” Jennings, wasn’t breathing, but paramedics found the boy unconscious and with injuries all over his body. He was rushed to Children’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead just before midnight.
Police arrested Giacchina on numerous charges, including possession of a firearm and lying to a police officer, and his mother was also charged with lying to a police officer.
Prosecutors filed additional charges against the couple following a medical examination of the child’s body.
“He died from blunt force trauma to the abdomen and a perforated intestine after a prolonged period of confinement and abuse,” McDonald said.
She further stated that autopsy photos showed numerous bruises and injuries on the child’s body.
“Churro’s abdomen was extensively bruised and swollen and distended,” McDonald continued. “He had BB gun wounds on his shins. Paramedics and emergency room personnel also noted extensive trauma.”
After an autopsy, the couple were charged with murder and first-degree child abuse, both of which carry life sentences.
“We have spent more than 100 hours reviewing the most shocking video, photographs, text messages and Facebook chats that tell the horrific story of what happened to this six-year-old boy,” McDonald added.
Prosecutors said the victim’s younger siblings witnessed the horrific assaults he suffered. The couple were charged with lying to police in an attempt to shift the blame for the abuse onto the boy’s biological father, a claim that was contradicted by the findings of the investigation.
You can watch the video report from WDIV-TV hereIt also includes photos of the boy and the defendant couple.
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