A Michigan couple is facing serious charges after the tragic death of a 6-year-old Madison Heights boy.
Two individuals from Madison Heights, Elaina Rose Jennings, 25, and her boyfriend, Daniel John Giacchina, 32, have been charged in connection with the tragic death of Jennings’ son. According to officials, the child was subjected to severe mistreatment, including confinement, physical abuse, and being bound to a wall using a staple gun.
Giovanni “Chulo” Jennings, 6, suffered severe injuries according to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office. However, Jennings chose not to seek medical treatment for her son, fearing that it would expose the abuse.
Giacchina was charged last week with multiple serious offenses, including possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, felony firearm, possession of ammunition by a felon, and lying to a peace officer. Jennings was charged last week with lying to a peace officer.
In the afternoon of July 30, the Madison Heights police and fire department swiftly responded to a distress call from Jennings, who reported that her son was experiencing difficulty breathing. Upon arrival, authorities discovered the young boy in an unresponsive state, bearing multiple injuries. He was transported to a local hospital, where he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries on July 31.
“After spending hundreds of hours carefully sifting through the evidence in this case, what we found can only be described as horrific. Chulo was confined, beaten, and bound to the wall using a staple gun. He was badly injured, but he was not taken for medical treatment because his mother knew that a medical examination would reveal the abuse,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said in a statement.
The prosecutor’s office has alleged that the couple engaged in abusive behavior towards the boy, including routine beatings. Additionally, they are accused of conspiring to deceive the police by falsely attributing the abuse to another person who was last seen with the child.
Jennings and Giacchina were arraigned on Friday in an Oakland County Court, and both were denied bond. They are currently detained at the Oakland County Jail.
The two will be returning to court on Aug. 21 for a probable cause conference as reported by CBS News.
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