A San Jose teenager was charged with the murder of his 2-year-old foster brother, after allegations of repeated sexual and physical abuse, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office said Monday.<\/p>\n
The suspect, who authorities haven’t identified due his age, was 17-years-old at the time of the Easter Sunday killing of Jaxon Juarez, prosecutors said. District Attorney Jeff Rosen said he is seeking to move the case from juvenile to adult court.<\/p>\n
Authorities said the teen is also Jaxon’s cousin.<\/p>\n
Along with the murder charge, the district attorney’s office filed nine other felonies, including charges of child assault causing death, assault with a hair tie and multiple counts of sexual assault.<\/p>\n
Rosen condemned the killing of Jaxon in a statement, calling it part of a broader pattern of violence against vulnerable children in Santa Clara County.<\/p>\n
“Jaxon will never have a chance at life,” Rosen said. “My office will speak for him and all the lost children as we seek justice.”<\/p>\n
During a press conference outside juvenile hall Monday, Rosen called out the county’s Department of Family and Children’s Services, noting “this is the third child in the last couple years under the care and custody of the department\u2026 who has been murdered.”<\/p>\n
“Enough. Enough,” he said. “Change needs to come, and it needs to come fast, and it needs to happen now.”<\/p>\n
DFCS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.<\/p>\n
San Jose police discovered Jaxon’s body on April 5. Authorities described the toddler as bruised and battered.<\/p>\n
Investigators said evidence shows the child had been subjected to repeated physical and sexual abuse since being placed in his paternal aunt’s home in February.<\/p>\n
A full autopsy is pending, and the investigation remains ongoing.<\/p>\n