According to reporting by Court TV, Jennifer Prudencio, 28, pleaded guilty Tuesday to involuntary manslaughter and three counts of reckless endangerment in connection with the 2024 death of her 3-year-old son, Yael Guardado-Prudencio.
Yael had several serious medical conditions, including hemophilia and seizures. In the week before his death, Prudencio brought him to the doctor twice. During those appointments, they discussed either adding another medication or increasing the dosage of his existing anti-seizure medication. After Yael’s death, toxicology testing found no detectable levels of the medication in his system.
Prosecutors said Prudencio left Yael and his two older brothers, ages 8 and 7, at home on the evening of April 6, 2024, despite the child’s recent health problems and an episode in which he had vomited blood. She went to her boyfriend’s home, where prosecutors said she drank beer and stayed overnight.
During the night, Yael’s 8-year-old brother repeatedly contacted their mother, reporting that the toddler was sick and vomiting. At about 1 a.m., he sent a video showing Yael moaning and appearing distressed. Prudencio responded that she would be home soon, but prosecutors said she did not return until roughly nine hours later.
When she arrived, Prudencio found all three children in bed. Yael had died.
Police later interviewed Prudencio, who acknowledged knowing how serious her son’s medical conditions were and confirmed that she had received the messages from her older son.
There was no plea agreement between prosecutors and the defense. Prosecutors said they believed aggravating circumstances justified a sentence beyond the standard guidelines. Prudencio’s attorney, Peter Marano, argued for leniency, portraying his client as someone who had experienced significant trauma and lacked the maturity of an adult.
Marano told the court that Prudencio had survived multiple abusive relationships and rape. Some of his mitigation arguments were made privately at sidebar to protect his client’s privacy.
“There’s no positive outcome in this case for anyone,” Marano said. “At the end, this is a tragedy that began when she was born.”
Judge Joshua Wall ultimately sentenced Prudencio to four to six years in prison, followed by three years of probation, exceeding the state’s sentencing guidelines.
Prudencio’s two surviving children are now living with their grandmother. Prosecutors said the Department of Children and Families has indicated that reunification of the family remains its goal.
Reporting in this account is based on Court TV’s coverage of the case.
