Massachusetts

Parents of Slain 6-Year-Old Fitchburg Girl Indicted on New Charges

Two Massachusetts parents charged in connection with the death of their 6-year-old daughter back in April have now been indicted in connection to injuries suffered by their son.

Thirty-seven-year-old Shana Pedroso and 38-year-old Marvin Brito were ordered held on $250,000 cash bail after the girl was found dead at a Fitchburg home. The girl's 9-year-old brother was also found seriously injured.

On Friday, the Worcester County District Attorney's Office confirmed that Pedroso and Brito have been indicted on charges of reckless child endangerment and assault and battery involving their son. The alleged crimes were reportedly committed between 2014 and 2018.

Pedroso pleaded not guilty in April to counts of assault and battery and reckless endangerment of a child in connection to her daughter's death. Brito also pleaded not guilty to counts of reckless endangerment and permitting substantial injury to a child.

While Pedroso and Brito were previously charged in Fitchburg District Court, the Telegram and Gazette reports that the new set of indictments will send their cases to Worcester Superior Court, where they will be arraigned on Aug. 21.

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 brother was hospitalized and taken into custody of the Department of Children and Families.

According to court documents released in April, 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 also allegedly glued a wound on the boy's neck closed with super glue. And Investigators found handwritten notes on Pedroso indicating "the children were bad and beaten" a day before police were called to their home.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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