DAVENPORT, Fla. — A Davenport woman was arrested after being accused of beating and killing her four-year-old adopted child, according to Polk County deputies on Wednesday.
What You Need To Know
- A Davenport woman was arrested after being accused of beating and killing her four-year-old adopted child, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd on Wednesday
- Four-year-old Bryan Boyer died last week after undergoing emergency surgery
- Medical examiners said they found evidence of long-term abuse
- Patricia Saintizaire, 36, faces a first degree murder charge, along with aggravated child abuse and witness tampering
Four-year-old Bryan Boyer died last week after undergoing emergency surgery. Medical examiners said they found evidence of long-term abuse.
Polk County leaders are calling the incident “horrible.”
“What we’ve learned during this investigation just turns our stomach,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said, describing details of what led to the child’s death. “We found an injury where his spleen suffered a significant tear. The medical examiner said it could have been nothing else other than an immediate hard strike to the abdomen.”
Patricia Saintizaire, 36, was charged with first degree murder in the death of her adopted son. Judd said the Loughman Oaks Elementary pre-schooler and his 16-year-old brother were adopted in Haiti and moved to Polk County last year.
When Boyer came home from school on May 1st, the police report said the older brother went to another room for about two hours and did not see or hear what happened to Boyer in that time frame. Saintizaire then told the brother to bring food to Boyer, but at that time, the brother noted that Boyer struggled to sit up and was unable to walk on his own. Saintizaire told the older brother that the victim was “faking it” and to feed him. The victim then became unresponsive.
The older brother began performing CPR on the child and then told Saintizaire they needed to take him to the hospital.
Boyer was transported to Heart of Florida Hospital in Davenport, where he later died.
“It is beyond my wildest imagination how anyone could abuse a beautiful little fella like this child was abused and neglected,” Judd said.
Judd also said they found videos on Saintizaire’s cell phone during their investigation that showed the alleged abuse.
“We have a video clip of where that (four-year-old) baby’s hands was tied behind his back and she threw him in a swimming pool in the backyard,” Judd said.
He went on to say that similar incidents are under investigation.
“As the autopsy went on, they found different layers of bruises and injuries from past beatings,” he said.
The police report references text messages found on Saintizaire’s phone. In one exchange, she messages, “Just give him a whooping.” The reply reads, in part, “He is only scared of you.”
Judd said this investigation is ongoing. A new court date is set for tomorrow.
Saintizaire faces a first degree murder charge, along with aggravated child abuse and tampering with a witness. Judd said the 16-year-old was instructed to lie.
Polk County School District issued a statement in response to Boyer’s death:
“This is tragic news for Loughman Oaks Elementary, and our entire community. No child should lose their life in this way. Our hearts go out to Bryan’s friends, loved ones, and all who knew him. Counselors have been assisting Loughman Oaks families and staff, and will be available for ongoing support if needed.”
