MADISON HEIGHTS (WWJ) — A Madison Heights woman and her boyfriend are facing murder and child abuse charges after her son’s death last month.
Elaina Jennings and Daniel Giacchina were denied bond after being arraigned Friday in connection with the death of 6-year-old Giovanni “Chulo” Jennings.
Last week the couple was charged with lying to police. On Friday Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald filed charges of murder and first-degree child abuse against both Jennings, 25, and Giacchina, 32.
Giacchina is facing additional charges of possession of ammunition by a felon, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and felony firearm.
Jennings called 911 around 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, reporting that her son was not breathing.
Madison Heights police and fire personnel responded to their mobile home near 10 Mile and Dequindre, where they found the young boy unresponsive with multiple injuries. He was initially taken to Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital, then transferred to Children’s Hospital, where he died the following day.
Prosecutors said Chulo died of blunt force trauma to his abdomen after a long period of confinement and abuse.
Jennings and Giacchini “severely abused and regularly beat the victim,” according to the prosecutor’s office. They then “conspired to falsely tell police that it was another individual who was last with the child, when in fact the victim was left in the care of defendant Giacchina,” prosecutors said.
McDonald said investigators have spent hundreds of hours “carefully sifting through the evidence in this case,” which she said “can only be described as horrific.”
According to McDonald, Chulo was “confined to a pen" in his mother's bedroom. He was beaten and the defendants bound him to the wall by using a staple gun on his clothes, which "forced his face into a corner."
“He was badly injured, but he was not taken for medical treatment because his mother knew that a medical examination would reveal the abuse, McDonald said, per a press release. “Every child deserves safety and security, not terror and abuse. I commend the diligent work of the Madison Heights Police Department. Together, we will continue to seek justice for Chulo, and will use every resource available to hold those responsible for his death accountable.”
Madison Heights Police Chief Brent LeMerise said he’s proud of officers and first responders who “worked around the clock” alongside the prosecutor’s office.
If convicted of murder, Jennings and Giacchina could both face life in prison. First-degree child abuse is a felony also punishable by up to life in prison.
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