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6-year-old boy “was dead all day,” his younger brother tells investigators


6-year-old boy “was dead all day,” his younger brother tells investigators

EDITOR’S NOTE: Some details released by the prosecutor’s office are disturbing.

MADISON HEIGHTS, MI – A 6-year-old Michigan boy died after allegedly being abused by his mother and her boyfriend, and some of the details are disturbing.

Giovanni “Chulo” Jennings, 6, of Madison Heights, died July 31.

Chulo’s four-year-old brother was interviewed and told investigators that “Chulo was dead all day and Danny (their mother’s boyfriend) was there,” FOX 2 Detroit reports.

Oakland County District Attorney Karen McDonald called the case “horrific” and said it was one of the worst her office had ever seen.

RELATD: The deceased 6-year-old boy was “locked up, beaten and tied up” before being found in a trailer park

Chulo’s mother, Elaina Rose Jennings, 25, of Madison Heights, is charged with murder, first-degree child abuse and lying to a police officer. Her boyfriend, Daniel John Giacchina, 32, of Madison Heights, is charged with murder, first-degree child abuse, lying to a police officer, possession of ammunition by a felon, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of a weapon by a felon.

On July 30, Jennings called 911 at 2:34 p.m. to report her son was not breathing, officials said. Madison Heights firefighters and police arrived at the scene of the accident at a mobile home park in the 25000 block of Dequindre Road in Madison Heights. They found Chulo unconscious and suffering from numerous injuries.

RENTHUSIASTIC: Couple charged with lying to police in connection with death of 6-year-old boy

Chulo was taken to Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital and then to Children’s Hospital of Michigan, officials said. He died of his injuries on Wednesday, July 31.

His death was ruled a homicide by blunt force trauma and abdominal perforation, the television station reported. He died “after a long period of captivity and abuse,” McDonald said.

Bruises and cuts were found all over Chulo’s body, including inside his mouth, the report said. He had a bloated stomach, the TV station reported. Evidence showed he was locked in a pen that included shackles to restrain him, curtains to prevent him from seeing out and an 11-by-36-inch wooden slat to sleep on. He was punished for his misbehavior, including attempts to drink, urinate and escape.

RENTHUSIASTIC: Police are investigating the death of a 6-year-old boy who was found seriously injured in a trailer park

Jennings and Giacchina were denied bail and remanded in custody and are due back in 43rd District Court today.

Murder is a crime punishable by life imprisonment. First-degree child abuse is a crime punishable by life imprisonment or any term of imprisonment.

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