Chelsea, Massachusetts — A Massachusetts mother is heading to prison after her 3-year-old son died while she was away for the night, leaving him in the care of his two young siblings despite his worsening condition.
Jennifer Prudencio, 27, of Chelsea, was sentenced Tuesday, Sept. 22, to four to six years in prison followed by three years of probation in connection with the 2024 death of her son, Yael Guardado-Prudencio.
Earlier that same day, Prudencio pleaded guilty to manslaughter and three counts of reckless endangerment of a child.
She had initially pleaded not guilty after being arrested in April 2024 and charged with involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment.
Toddler Had Been Seriously Ill Before His Death
According to prosecutors, Yael had a history of hemophilia and had been experiencing serious health problems in the days before his death.
Prosecutors said the toddler had fallen during a seizure during the week before he died, leaving him with a facial wound that was not healing properly. He was also reportedly vomiting blood.
Prudencio sought medical care for Yael twice during that week, according to prosecutors. However, his condition remained concerning as the weekend approached.
On Saturday night, April 6, 2024, prosecutors said Yael was still vomiting and appeared pale. Despite his condition, Prudencio left the home to go to a bar.
Toddler Was Left With His Young Siblings
At the time, Yael’s two older siblings were 7 and 8 years old. Prosecutors said Prudencio left the three children at home while she went out for the evening.
Assistant Suffolk County Prosecutor Audrey Mark said Prudencio spent several hours at a bar drinking alcohol before going to her boyfriend’s home in Somerville, where she stayed overnight.
The decision to remain away from home became a key part of the prosecution’s case. During the night, Prudencio’s 8-year-old son became concerned about Yael and reached out to his mother for help.
8-Year-Old Texted His Mother for Help
According to prosecutors, the 8-year-old texted Prudencio in the middle of the night because he was worried about his younger brother. The child also sent his mother a video of Yael.
Prosecutors said Prudencio responded that she would be home soon. But according to Mark, Prudencio did not return home immediately.
“Despite that,” Mark said, “she chose to stay out all night,” according to CBS News.
The situation left the young children responsible for their seriously ill sibling through the remainder of the night.
Mother Returned Home Sunday Morning
Prudencio eventually returned to the Chelsea home at approximately 10 a.m. Sunday morning, according to prosecutors. By then, Yael had died.
The circumstances surrounding the toddler’s final hours led to the criminal charges against his mother and ultimately resulted in her guilty plea.
Prudencio was sentenced later after admitting responsibility for manslaughter and the three child endangerment charges. She is now being held at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution Framingham, according to online prison records.
Case Ends With Prison Sentence
The sentence means Prudencio will spend years in prison followed by a period of probation. The case has also left Yael’s family dealing with the loss of a young child whose health had already been fragile before his death.
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been established to help the family following the tragedy.
The case serves as a painful reminder of the responsibility involved when a seriously ill child requires close supervision and immediate attention.
For Yael’s family, the legal proceedings have now resulted in a prison sentence, but the loss of the 3-year-old remains permanent.
What are your thoughts on this heartbreaking case? Share your reaction in the comments below and keep Yael’s family in your thoughts during this difficult time.
