Modesto boy who was abused is on life support, family says. Mother set to be arraigned
The 7-year-old Modesto boy who was allegedly abused by his mother and her boyfriend suffered a severe brain injury and is on life support, according to a post by his aunt on a gofundme page for the boy.
Jovonna Cruz, 35, and her boyfriend Eyvar Rivera, 41, were charged on Thursday with child abuse. Cruz also faces an enhancement for inflicting serious bodily injury on her son David Turner, causing him “to become comatose due to brain injury or to suffer paralysis,” according to the criminal complaint in the case.
David’s aunt Brandy Blackwell wrote on the fundraising page that David has swelling on his brain and shows no signs of brain activity. She said he is being kept on life support at least until his father, who lives in Texas, gets to the hospital on Friday.
On Sunday, Modesto Police responded to the Live Oak Apartments at 1900 Oakdale Road, where paramedics were treating David for severe injuries on multiple parts of his body. He was taken to a hospital.
Child Protective Services removed an 18-month old child from the home and Modesto Police arrested Cruz and Eyvar the next day.
Spokeswoman Sharon Bear said officers had gone to the family’s apartment in March to investigate a report of child abuse but found no physical injuries on David and he denied any abuse.
Blackwell wrote on the fundraising page that she and Cruz’s mother lived with and helped raise David for the first six years of his life but that Cruz moved away about a year ago and refused to tell family where they were.
She said their mother “tried to get my sister to sign over custody to her, but my sister refused and threatened that if my mom took her to court she would never see either one of the kids again.”
Blackwell said she reported suspected abuse to Modesto Police and Child Protective Services.
On Wednesday, a small group of people gathered in front of the Live Oak Apartments for a vigil for David.
“I was abused as a child by my mother, and it triggered something inside me,” said Bitty Young, “No one saved me and no one saved David.”
Young said she grew up with Blackwell, and she read about the tragedy on her Facebook page.
Young and a friend held up handmade signs saying, “Save the Children,” and drivers honked their horns as they passed by.
Sylvia C., who requested to not use her last name, brought her 11-year-old and 13-year-old children to set up the memorial with balloons, candles and a stuffed animal. She did not know David or his family.
“I want my children to learn to speak up,” Sylvia said, “If you feel something is wrong, step up. You could save a life.”
Cruz is scheduled to be arraigned Monday. Rivera, who bailed out of jail on Tuesday, is scheduled to be arraigned in December.
This story was originally published September 17, 2020 at 1:28 PM.
