A 17-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of his two-year-old foster brother, Jaxon Juarez, in San José, California. The suspect, who has now turned 18, is accused of repeatedly sexually and physically assaulting the toddler after he was placed in the foster home earlier this year. Jaxon died on April 9, days after police found his body on Easter Sunday.
The suspect, who is also Jaxon's cousin, initially faced multiple counts of sexual assault. On Monday, prosecutors added charges including murder, child assault causing death, and further sexual assault allegations. He is accused of placing a hair tie around the toddler's neck, causing significant injury. District Attorney Jeff Rosen is seeking to transfer the case to adult court, stating, 'The rape and murder of a child are two of the most serious crimes that we prosecute.'
Jaxon had been living with the suspect's mother, Bridget Michelle Martinez, for only a few weeks before his death. Martinez had a prior conviction for felony child endangerment in 2014, but it remains unclear whether the county's Department of Family and Children's Services was aware of this when approving the placement. Jaxon's aunt, Riley Wallace, said the family plans to sue, arguing the child should never have been placed in that home.
Prosecutors are investigating whether additional charges should be filed against others, including potential systemic failures. District Attorney Rosen noted that Jaxon is the third child to die in recent years while under the supervision of Santa Clara County's child services. 'Change needs to come, and it needs to come fast,' he said. The county has requested an independent review by the California Department of Social Services.
The suspect is scheduled to return to court on May 21, when a judge will decide whether the case will be moved to adult court.
