For Immediate Release

Nov. 26, 2018

The mother of a 2-year-old child and her boyfriend have been charged in connection with the child's death this month, which medical exams attributed to malnutrition and probable dehydration, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.

Saritza Serrano, dob: 10/25/1993, and Ruben Yepez-Ruiz, dob: 9/30/1994, each face the Class A felony of Abuse or Neglect of a Child -- Resulting in Death.*

According to court records, Kansas City police responded on Nov. 16 to a residence in the 2300 block of Norton Avenue in Kansas City and found a young child deceased. First responders reported that the child was severely malnourished and appeared to have been deceased for more than one hour prior to their arrival. An examination by the Jackson County Medical Examiner's Office found the victim's cause of death to be Severe Malnutrition. Defendant Serrano said the child and another child live in the residence, where she and her boyfriend, defendant Yepes-Ruiz, lived. She said the victim had been sick for three weeks. She stated she didn't take the victim to a doctor or hospital when it was sick. Defendant Yepez-Ruiz also stated he also took no steps to get the victim medical attention. He said he had not checked on the victim for three weeks prior to his death.

The case remains under investigation.

Prosecutors requested a bond of $250,000 cash.

For more information, contact:

Michael Mansur

Director of Communication

Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office

Jean Peters Baker, Prosecutor

Work   : (816) 881-3812

Mobile: (816) 674-3954

mmansur@jacksongov.org

http://jacksoncountyprosecutor.com

*Charges are only accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or has pleaded.