14-Year-Old Girl Charged With Manslaughter For Allegedly Killing Toddler in Buffalo, New York
A 14-year-old girl has been charged with manslaughter in the death of a 1-year-old boy who was strangled to death in Buffalo, New York, Monday night.
The teenage girl, who has not been named, was arrested and charged with first-degree manslaughter following the death of 21-month-old Joshua Jock Jr. in the Chautauqua County town of Harmony.
Officials say the toddler died on Monday between 11 p.m. and midnight inside of a home on Route 474 where the owner, Paula Mason-Reeves, operated a 24/7 daycare called "Little Racers."
Officials say someone called 911 after adults came home and found that the toddler was unresponsive. An autopsy later determined that Joshua was strangled.
At the time of his death, the only people at the home daycare center was the teen, Joshua and a 1-year-old baby girl, who were all related.
The teen is now being held on $1 million bail in a Buffalo juvenile facility. It is not unclear whether she'll be charged as an adult.
"I thought maybe wake up, it was just a dream. It's not a dream. It's far from being a dream. I just want justice for my grandson," Genevieve Post told Time Warner Cable News.
The boy's father, Joshua Alan Jock Sr., said that he was shocked to learn about his son murder.
"I never thought that my son would die at this young age, especially at a daycare," he told 7 Eyewitness News.
He added that his son had been had taken away from his parents for neglect. The tot was then placed in foster care before Mason-Reeves won custody of him 6-8 months ago.
"She went to court filed for custody and they granted it to her," Jock said.
A woman identified as Joshua's mother expressed her grief on Facebook, writing, "Mommy and daddy love and miss you so much baby. I'm so sorry this happen."
Following the incident, the daycare's license to operate was either suspended and/or revoked. The center was also removed from the state's referral list.
Subscribe to Latin Post!
Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage!