The cousin of a 10-year-old Wisconsin girl killed in 2022 pleaded guilty to first-degree intentional homicide on Wednesday and was sentenced to life in prison.
Baby Jaxon's death leads to 10 social workers placed on leave as the NAACP files a complaint accusing Santa Clara County of negligence.
The death of 2-year-old Baby Jaxon has renewed questions about Santa Clara County's foster care system, marking the third child in as many years to die while under the care and custody of the county's Department of Family and Children Services. His cousin has been charged with sexual assault and murder in connection with the case.
Evidence suggests that Jaxon had been repeatedly sexually and physically abused by his cousin after being placed with the family by the county in February.
The prosecution wrapped up its second day of closing arguments Friday in the case of Shannon O'Connor, the mom who's on trial for the drunken sex parties involving teens at her home. O'Connor's defense will now have to prove her "not guilty" plea beginning on Monday.
"I am standing up here today to give a voice to the most vulnerable," Betancourt said. "The children, the victims, the survivors of sexual assault, the boys and young men and adult men that stay silent and hold it all in."