MOORHEAD, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – A Moorhead, Minnesota pair has been charged with second-degree murder in connection to the death of three-year-old Eastyn Deronjic last March. Shiann Erickson and Rosa Garza, also known as Mason Garza, have each been charged with second-degree murder without intent in the child’s death.
According to the criminal complaint, on March 18, 2024, at 1:09 a.m., Moorhead police, fire, and ambulance services were dispatched to 1502 Bley Boulevard, Apartment 204, regarding a three-year-old boy who was not breathing. Officers arrived to find an unresponsive Eastyn Deronjic, with heavy bruising on his face and body. Life-saving measures were attempted, and the child was transported to Sanford Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 2:33 a.m.
A female witness reported arriving at the apartment at 12:50 a.m. to watch Eastyn and his sister. She stated that Garza had asked her to watch the children because Erickson needed to go to the hospital. The witness noticed that Eastyn was sick and had been throwing up. Shortly after providing him with water, Eastyn started coughing, gagging, and became unresponsive.
The primary detective on the case documented significant bruising over Eastyn’s entire body and noted his distended stomach. Interviews revealed ongoing abuse, with both Erickson and Garza being advised to take Eastyn to the hospital the day before, but they did not.
The final autopsy report, received on June 26, 2024, indicated 28 blunt force injuries and determined the manner of death as homicide due to an assault. The medical examiner stated that Eastyn’s death resulted from a perforation of his bowel, likely caused by a single blow. The injuries suggested the child would have been in significant discomfort.
I’m Neil Berg reporting for trfnews.i234.me