Massachusetts

Parents of Slain 6-Year-Old Girl Held on $250,000 Cash Bail

Parents of a 6-year-old girl who died in Massachusetts last week are being held on $250,000 bail following a dangerousness hearing.

Thirty-seven-year-old Shana Pedroso and 38-year-old Marvin Brito were both ordered held on $250,000 cash bail during a hearing in Fitchburg District Court Wednesday.

Pedroso has pleaded not guilty to counts of assault and battery and reckless endangerment of a child. Brito also pleaded not guilty to counts of reckless endangerment and permitting substantial injury to a child.

State troopers responded to the couple's home on April 10 to find the unresponsive girl, who was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Her 9-year-old brother was hospitalized and is in the custody of the Department of Children and Families.

According to court documents released last week, responding officers observed that the boy had sustained serious injuries and bruising to his face. The girl had extensive bruising of various ages over her entire body.

Court documents showed the injured boy told police he had sustained the injuries the day before when "he and his sister were attacked by bullies." He also said his sister "wouldn't drink" the next morning, but the parents said not to call 911. Pedroso allegedly glued a wound on the boy's neck closed with super glue. Investigators also found handwritten notes on Pedroso indicating "the children were bad and beaten" a day before police were called to their home.

The Sentinel and Enterprise reports attorney Michael Hussey, who represents Pedroso, and attorney Edward Fogarty, who represents Brito, declined to say whether their clients are expected to post bail.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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