The Brief<\/p>\n
District Attorney Jeff Rosen cited “serious lapses” by the Santa Clara County Department of Family and Children\u2019s Services for placing Baby Jaxon in a foster home where the caregiver had a known criminal history.<\/p>\n
According to loved ones, Jaxon’s mom died from health issues and his father was unable to care for him.<\/p>\n
The 2-year-old suffered repeated physical and sexual abuse while in foster care before dying on April 9; his teen cousin now faces murder and sexual assault charges in the toddler’s death.<\/p>\n
SAN JOSE, Calif. – A series of family misfortunes led to the ultimate tragedy \u2014 the death of a 2-year-old San Jose boy<\/a> known as Baby Jaxon.<\/p>\n After the toddler\u2019s death while in the foster care system, questions are being raised about where Jaxon\u2019s parents were.<\/p>\n Jaxon was placed in foster care earlier this year. In February, Santa Clara County\u2019s Department of Family and Children\u2019s Services placed him in the care of a 40-year-old woman, authorities said. A caregiver, detectives later found, had a “concerning criminal history.”<\/p>\n Family members identified the caregiver as Jaxon\u2019s relative and the mother of the 17-year-old boy now charged in the toddler\u2019s death.<\/p>\n Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen is blaming the department, citing serious lapses in oversight.<\/p>\n Pattern of abuse<\/p>\n Dig deeper<\/p>\n Police responded to a 911 call April 5 at a home in the 300 block of Otono Court. Officers discovered Jaxon\u2019s “small, bruised and battered body,” investigators said. Medical staff also identified several “suspicious traumatic injuries,” and the child was placed on life support. He died four days later, on April 9.<\/p>\n Evidence indicates Jaxon was repeatedly assaulted, both sexually and physically, from the time he entered the home, according to the district attorney\u2019s office. Rosen said the teen suspect, who has since turned 18, faces charges of murder and sexual assault. The charges also include felony assault with a hair tie, which was found wrapped around the toddler\u2019s neck on Easter Sunday.<\/p>\n “This is a terrible and horrific case,” Rosen said, adding that prosecutors are seeking to try the suspect as an adult.<\/p>\n