Brantley Santiago died in April.
A pair of mother and daughter babysitters now face charges in the April death of a 3-year-old boy in their charge.
Brantley Santiago died in the hospital days after he reportedly fell down the stairs in his Ohio home earlier this year. Brantley’s babysitters at the time, Valorie Olah, 57, and her daughter, Samantha Olah, 26, told authorities the boy fell accidentally fell down the stairs.
Police now say that is a lie, and Brantley's death has been ruled a homicide.
“Medical evidence demonstrates that the injuries sustained by Brantley [that] led to his death could not have been exclusively caused by a fall down a flight of stairs, as alleged by the Olahs,” prosecuting attorney Nicholas Iarocci said in a news release.
Prosecutors said Brantley’s injuries included blunt force trauma to his head and body, as well as soft-tissue injuries to his brain. Iarocci also alleged that the toddler had “other injuries sustained while in the care of the Olahs” before the fall.
Moreover, the boy's mother, Beverly Santiago, was allegedly aware of the injuries allegedly caused by Brantley's babysitters and kept it from investigators.
Authorities said that days before the toddler’s death, the mom was directed by a pediatrician to find new babysitters for her son, but it isn’t clear in what context that conversation took place, People reported.
The Olahs have both been charged with two counts of murder, among a slew of other charges. Santiago has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and endangering children.
The Olahs’ attorney, William Bobulsky, did not immediately respond for comment.
Gary Pasqualone, Santiago’s lawyer, told the Star Beacon he will “dispute” the prosecutors' allegations.
They have all pleaded not guilty, according to reports.
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