A violent and brutal incident that led to the death of 3-year-old boy results in the child’s mother and stepfather being placed under arrest.

Twenty-seven-year-old John Paul Sayama Charfauros was arrested on suspicion of aggravated murder, murder, use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony, child abuse aggravated assault.

Thirty-year-old Jonarie Marie Reyes Cruz was arrested on suspicion of child abuse, family violence, child neglect, and conspiracy, and guilt by complicity.

Investigators with the Guam Police Department got involved after receiving a call on July 7 from a family member who lives off-island. The relative told police they learned the child died after he apparently drowned.

However, the story just didn’t add up.

The family member told authorities they were suspicious of how the child died, adding no one ever called the cops.

The heartbreaking situation even had police Chief Stephen Ignacio cautioning the public of the gruesome details uncovered during a press conference held at the GPD Headquarters in Tiyan Thursday morning.

It was through video surveillance retrieved from the Villa Rosario Condos pool area in Dededo that officers witnessed the horrific incident.

Ignacio said Charfauros allegedly forced the child’s head underwater and slapped and punched his face repeatedly, adding the boy was screaming and crying.

“At one point, Charfauros removed the 3-year-old from the water and sits him on the edge of the pool. As soon as Charfauros releases the 3-year-old to stand, the 3-year-old slumps over then falls backward causing his head to hit the concrete deck,” said Ignacio. “He attempted to revive the child before putting the child back in the water on his back as he sat at edge of the pool. He forced the child underwater with his feet.”

Footage showed other family members leaving the area as this occurred.
Investigators discovered Charfauros then allegedly put the child’s head underwater for two seconds then lifted him out before dragging him toward a pavilion and dropping him on the concrete deck.

The child lost consciousness when Charfauros allegedly picked the boy up by his wrist and dropped him again causing his head to hit the concrete once more.

The alleged violence continued as Charfauros forced the boy to walk on his own.

“The victim struggled as they exited through gate,” he said.

More than one hour had passed before the child was taken to Guam Regional Medical City, then transferred to the Guam Memorial Hospital whenever Cruz reported the child was found floating in the pool.

The toddler spent the day in critical condition and on life support before doctors declared him brain dead.

He was taken off life support the following day and died, Ignacio said.

Child Protective Services and GPD’s Criminal Investigation Division were called to investigate when officers learned Charfauros and Cruz allegedly lied about what actually occurred to the child.

Court documents state Cruz admitted that she "lied" and asked others to lie for her as well. She knew it was wrong of her adding that she also deleted all of the text messages from Charfauros. 

The investigation led to the pair being arrested on July 31. Both are being held in the Department of Corrections prison.