Manteca, CA – A 49-year-old California day care owner is facing second-degree murder charges after authorities say she was intoxicated while caring for several children, including a 4-month-old baby who stopped breathing and later died. The tragic incident has left the community of Manteca shaken and renewed scrutiny over child care licensing and supervision practices.
The Incident: Infant Found Unresponsive at Home Day Care
According to the Manteca Police Department, officers were dispatched to the home of Roxanne Helus, the owner of Cherished Years Daycare, on October 22 after receiving a report of an unresponsive infant.
When police arrived, another adult at the scene was performing CPR on 4-month-old Christian Olvera, who had stopped breathing. Investigators say Helus appeared intoxicated while on duty supervising multiple children.
“When they arrived, another adult was performing CPR on the infant. Helus, police said, was intoxicated,” authorities confirmed in a statement.
Christian was rushed to a local hospital and later transferred to Oakland Children’s Hospital, where he was placed on life support. Despite doctors’ efforts, the infant died on October 24, two days after being found unresponsive.
Police said the child showed no signs of physical trauma, and an autopsy is pending to determine the exact cause of death.
Investigation and Initial Charges
Following the initial investigation, Helus was arrested and charged with child endangerment, then booked into the San Joaquin County Jail. She later posted bond and was released, pending arraignment.
However, when she appeared in court on Thursday, prosecutors upgraded her charges to second-degree murder after reviewing additional evidence. Helus is now also facing counts of willful cruelty to a child and causing great bodily injury to a child resulting in death.
According to police, at the time of the incident, there were four other adults assisting with the care of three additional children inside the day care. Fortunately, no other children were harmed.
Court Proceedings and Legal Developments
During her court appearance, Helus was remanded back into custody and is now being held without bond at the San Joaquin County Jail. Her next court date is scheduled for December 4.
Her attorney, Eugene Kilbride, expressed condolences to the victim’s family but questioned the severity of the charges.
“This is a terrible and tragic incident, and I do want to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family,” Kilbride said. “However, I do not believe there was willful conduct to merit a murder charge.”
The San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office has not yet released further details about what led prosecutors to pursue the murder charge but confirmed that toxicology reports and witness statements are part of the ongoing case.
Family’s Reaction and Community Grief
Family members of baby Christian Olvera have spoken publicly about their heartbreak. Erica Valdivia, a cousin of the infant, described the family’s devastating final moments in the hospital.
“On Friday, Oct. 24, as a family, we joined Christian’s parents in the room as they disconnected him from life support,” Valdivia said. “The pain was unbearable, watching him take his last breath.”
Local residents and parents who had previously used Cherished Years Daycare expressed shock and outrage upon learning that Helus was allegedly intoxicated while caring for children. The California Department of Social Services has since suspended the facility’s license pending a full investigation.
Background Context: Child Care Safety and Licensing
California law requires all licensed child care providers to maintain a safe and sober environment and to undergo regular inspections by state regulators. Providers found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while on duty can face criminal prosecution and permanent revocation of their licenses.
Child welfare advocates have called Christian’s death a preventable tragedy, urging the state to strengthen oversight of home-based day care operations. The case also highlights the legal and ethical responsibilities of caregivers who operate privately-run child care centers from their homes.
Ongoing Developments and Next Steps
Authorities are continuing to gather evidence, including toxicology test results and interviews with witnesses present at the time of the incident. Prosecutors have indicated that the findings of the autopsy will play a critical role in determining the full scope of criminal liability.
Helus is expected to enter a plea at her next hearing in December. If convicted of second-degree murder, she faces 15 years to life in prison under California law.
Conclusion
The death of 4-month-old Christian Olvera has devastated his family and shaken the Manteca community, raising urgent questions about day care accountability and child safety. As the legal process unfolds, both prosecutors and parents are calling for stronger safeguards to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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