How Could You? Hall of Shame-Janie Unique Buelna-Child Death UPDATED

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Phoenix, Arizona, foster mother/grandmother “Juanita Rodriguez, is under arrest along with two men, all charged with multiple counts of child abuse” of Janie Unique Buelna, who died on March 12, 2011, 1 month shy of her 2nd birthday.

“Juanita Rodriguez, her boyfriend, Humelio Dominguez-Vazquez, and a friend, Christopher Lopez, lived together in a Phoenix apartment with both of Buelna’s children. Court paperwork reveals that on March 11, Rodriguez had left Janie and Agustine in the care of the two men while she left to visit a relative. Dominguez-Vazquez told detectives that he left the baby sleeping on a mattress and went to the bathroom. When he came back five minutes later, she was not breathing. Documents say Lopez cried and prayed for God’s forgiveness during his interview with detectives. At that time he denied causing the child to stop breathing, but that he “may have squeezed her and shaken her because he tripped while trying to render aid. He said he fell onto the sofa and the baby’s head struck the wooden arm of the sofa.” The pair called Rodriguez to come home. Once she arrived, she called 911. Detectives interviewed neighbors, who reported sounds of abuse — screaming and slapping — coming from the apartment. Another neighbor told them Rodrizuez [sic]would make the children stand on their heads as discipline. ”

http://www.kpho.com/valleynews/27245706/detail.html
[KHPO CBS 5 news 3/18/11 by Scott Davis]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Update:  Maricopa County Press release of 3/23/11  says “Humelio Dominguez-Vazquez (DOB 5/25/1977), Christopher Joseph Lopez (DOB 9/9/1973) and Juanita Trevino Rodriguez (3/2/1967) have been charged with multiple felony counts of child abuse in connection with the death of Juanita Buelna, who is the granddaughter of Rodriguez. The child died on March 11, 2011 while in the care of Dominguez-Vazquez, who is the boyfriend of Rodriguez, and Lopez, who is a roommate. The exact cause and manner of death has not been determined pending a medical examiner’s report.

“What we know at this point is that an innocent child suffered a brutal and painful death while in the custody of adults who were supposed to be looking after her,” said Maricopa County Bill Montgomery. “My office is determined to uncover the circumstances that led to this senseless tragedy and to bring those responsible for this crime to justice,” he added.

On the afternoon of March 11, 2011 Phoenix Police were called to an apartment on Black Canyon Highway shared by Dominguez-Vazquez, Lopez and Rodriguez. They were met by Lopez who told them they were no longer needed. Police knocked on the door several times until Dominguez-Vazquez opened the door and led them to a back bedroom where Buelna was found unresponsive. Paramedics attempted unsuccessfully to revive her and transported her to St. Joseph’s Hospital where she was pronounced dead. An external exam of Buelna’s body revealed scars on her back, bottom, arms and legs, a healing skull fracture, and severe burns on her leg, foot and top of her hand.

On the day of this incident, Rodriguez left Buelna in the care of Dominguez-Vazquez and Lopez while she went to the Lower Buckeye Jail to visit her son. During an interview, the suspects admitted that the child had been burned by scalding water 7 to 10 days earlier when Lopez tried to wash her off after she had a bathroom accident. They claimed they did not seek treatment for the child because they believed Lopez would be arrested and would no longer receive his Social Security payments and the child would be taken by Child Protective Services.

All three defendants remain in custody. Rodriguez and Lopez are each being held on a $150,000 bond. Dominguez-Vazquez is being held without bond.”

A search of Maricopa County Superior court records reveals that they waived right to trial. Juanita and Christopher each had 3 counts of child abuse and Humelio had 2 counts of child abuse.

On June 14, 2013, Christopher and Juanita  , guilty of “Count 4 (AS AMENDED) ATTEMPTED CHILD ABUSEClass 3 FELONY AND DANGEROUS CRIME AGAINST CHILDREN AND A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENSE.” and “Count 1 (AS AMENDED) CHILD ABUSE Class 3 FELONY AND A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENSE” were each sentenced to 10 years with credit of 835 days served, and given lifetime probation; $85 fine; no consumption alcohol, mental health provisions and no contact with minors.

On June 14, 2013, Humelio guilty of “Count 4 (AS AMENDED) ATTEMPTED CHILD ABUSE Class 3 FELONY AND DANGEROUS CRIME AGAINST CHILDREN AND A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENSE” was sentenced to 8 years in prison with credit of 825 days served followed by lifetime probation; $85 fine; no consumption alcohol, mental health provisions and no contact with minors.