A 14-year-old boy from Silver Spring was found to be “involved” in the death of his infant sister, which equates a guilty verdict.
The teen was charged with involuntary manslaughter and one count of neglect. The boy was originally tried as an adult in the death of 7-month-old Larissa Ynes during an earlier hearing in February. Prosecutors say the boy was babysitting his sister in their Silver Spring apartment and put his hands over her nose and mouth in an attempt to quiet her.
Gloria Ynes, the children’s mother, returned home the next morning and found the child in her infant seat. Ynes thought the baby was sleeping and didn’t realize she was unresponsive until half an hour later when she called 911.
Defense attorney Mary Sigfried says for juveniles, the goal is not punishment but rehabilitation. For the teen, the goal would be treating his behavior.
When the teen was first tried as an adult, it was noted that he was frequently left to care for his two sisters. The mother often left her son in charge because she worked overnight shifts and could not afford a babysitter.
The teen will be held in a juvenile facility until he can be placed in a treatment facility.
