Bond set at $2 million for foster mom charged in death of 5-year-old in Omaha
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - The foster mother of the boy who died after he was left in an SUV for several hours appeared in court Friday afternoon.
Juanita Pinon, 40, was formally charged in Douglas County Court with child abuse by neglect resulting in death. The Class 2A felony is punishable of up to 25 years in prison.
Dionicio Perez was pronounced dead Wednesday after he was taken by ambulance to a hospital. The 5-year-old had been found unresponsive in a vehicle near a nail salon where Pinon worked near 93rd and Maple streets at 5:11 p.m. Wednesday.
In court on Friday, the judge set Pinon’s bond at $2 million.
According to court documents, police were told the boy had been left in the SUV for about seven hours. Surveillance video shows Pinon leaving her vehicle with the boy inside and going into work, the records state. In court, the state said Pinon had gone out to her vehicle a few times that day, but police told 6 News that isn’t true.
Omaha Police said heat may have been a factor in Dionicio’s death, but that it would have to be confirmed by an autopsy.
Pinon declined to be interviewed by police, according to the documents.
6 NEWS EXCLUSIVE
Father of 5-year-old who died after left in car speaks out
“I don’t understand how it was possible how that woman left my son. We went to where my son passed away, and I sat in that car for not even five minutes, and I was already drenched in sweat."
Dionicio was the youngest of six children, the oldest of whom is 19 years old. Custody for three of the children, including Dionicio, was signed over to Pinon, a family friend, after their mother told a Douglas County judge she no longer believed she could safely care for them.
A vigil to remember Dionicio is planned for 8-9 p.m. Friday at Muse Beauty Bar, located at 3025 N. 93rd St., near 90th and Maple streets. A family friend said that blue balloons will be released at the vigil, as they were Donicio’s favorite color.
—
Digital Director Gina Dvorak, Reporter Joe Harris, Managing Editor Kevin Westhues, and Digital Producer Elaina Riley contributed to this story.
Get the latest breaking news delivered to your inbox. Sign up for 6 News email alerts.
Copyright 2024 WOWT. All rights reserved.
