A mother and her boyfriend from Michigan are facing charges in a child abuse case after a 6-year-old boy was stapled to a wall and shot with a BB gun, leading to his death.
The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office says Elaina Rose Jennings, 25, and Daniel John Giacchina, 33, are facing murder charges for the death of Giovanny “Chulo” Jennings. If found guilty, they could be locked up for life.
Police in Madison Heights, Michigan, received a 911 report on July 30 regarding a child who was not breathing at a mobile home park. Upon police arrival, they discovered the boy in an unconscious state and with injuries all over his body. The child was taken urgently to the hospital but did not survive the night.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald revealed the extent of abuse the boy suffered, saying he had been confined for an extended period. McDonald said, “Chulo had pervasive bruising to his abdomen, which was also bloated and distended. He had an apparent BB wound to his shin. First responders and emergency room personnel noted extensive external injuries, as well.”
Investigators found over 100 hours of videos, photos, and text messages talking about what the kid went through. The boy was kept in a makeshift cage in the bedroom and beaten up while his brothers and sisters watched. The adults monitored him in the pen, where they described his “misbehavior” as urinating, drinking, and attempting to leave.
In one particular incident, prosecutors allege that Giacchina used a staple gun to confine the 6-year-old to a wall, forcing him to face the corner. A photo showed the child’s shirt shoulders stapled to the wall. “Both Jennings and Giacchina laughed about the photo and Giacchina’s use of the staple gun to solve ‘the problem.’’’ prosecutors stated.
When authorities searched the residence, they discovered physical evidence supporting the digital records. This included markings on the wall consistent with staple gun use, as well as a BB gun and CO2 cartridges. The trial date has not yet been set, but the case continues to draw significant attention due to the severity of the allegations.