Stockton parents accused of killing 2-year-old daughter appear in court

STOCKTON, Calif. — Using her shackled hands to wipe away tears, accused child killer Jessica Chavez and her husband-turned-co-defendant, Gregorio Ornelas, faced their charges in court Wednesday.

The charges include child abuse causing bodily injury, child abuse resulting in death, torture and second-degree murder of their 2-year-old daughter Jocelyn Ornelas.

“This is a two-year-old child who had no one to fight for her,” said San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office prosecutor Victor Bachand. “We’re still waiting on the autopsy results, but it’s apparently clear this child starved.”

Neither parent entered a plea, but both were told they would be appointed an attorney. The next court date for the couple is scheduled for Sept. 26.

Around 3:15 a.m. Monday, prosecutors said one of the parents called police to the family’s apartment unit in the 300 block of W Oak Street. When police got there, they found Jocelyn emaciated. She later died at a hospital.

“From the information we have in this case, most, if not all, of her neighbors were unaware of (Jocelyn’s) very existence,” Bachand said.

Neighbors like Karen Smith agree.

“I saw the little boys all the time,” Smith said of the Chavez’ other children. “I never saw a little girl. Didn’t know she had a girl, but that’s because she kept her in the house.”

Those two other children are now in the custody of CPS. In court Wednesday, a protective order was issued against the children’s mother.

“I’ve seen her in passing,” Smith said of Chavez. “Drinking a lot, but I would just say weird, and I don’t mean to judge nobody, but yeah, it was kind of strange.”

Neighbors are now left heartbroken and wondering how a tragedy like this could happen so close to home.

“Right now, when I still think about it, I get teary-eyed because you could have given that child to somebody,” Smith said. “She’s with God now… she doesn’t have to suffer.”

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