The Iowa City couple accused of abusing a 20 month old child have their trial date set. They will both go to trail together on December 11.
18-year old Mireya Balderas and 20-year old Jorge J. Perez are facing charges of child endangerment resulting in death. Balderas faces one charge and Perez faces two. They could face up to 50 years for each charge.
The charges stem from an investigation spurred by the death of 20-month old Marcus Balderas. He was taken to the hospital on April 30 with breathing problems, where he died.
The autopsy found broken ribs, bruises all over his body, internal injuries and subdural bleeding. Cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma to the head and the death was ruled a homicide.
Police believe Perez was responsible for the blunt force trauma that led to death. Perez admitted to severe abuse, and Balderas admitted witnessing it on many occasions and possibly participating as well over time.
Balderas is being charged because she not only witnessed it and may have participated, but she did nothing to help her baby or stop the abuse from her boyfriend.
According to the Des Moines Register website, Balderas was the first to waive her rights to a speedy trial. Her court date was set for December 11. Perez waived his last week and was given the same court date.
The final pretrial conference for the couple before they are set for court is scheduled to be November 30.
18-year old Mireya Balderas and 20-year old Jorge J. Perez are facing charges of child endangerment resulting in death. Balderas faces one charge and Perez faces two. They could face up to 50 years for each charge.
The charges stem from an investigation spurred by the death of 20-month old Marcus Balderas. He was taken to the hospital on April 30 with breathing problems, where he died.
The autopsy found broken ribs, bruises all over his body, internal injuries and subdural bleeding. Cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma to the head and the death was ruled a homicide.
Police believe Perez was responsible for the blunt force trauma that led to death. Perez admitted to severe abuse, and Balderas admitted witnessing it on many occasions and possibly participating as well over time.
Balderas is being charged because she not only witnessed it and may have participated, but she did nothing to help her baby or stop the abuse from her boyfriend.
According to the Des Moines Register website, Balderas was the first to waive her rights to a speedy trial. Her court date was set for December 11. Perez waived his last week and was given the same court date.
The final pretrial conference for the couple before they are set for court is scheduled to be November 30.
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