Minnesota Woman Gets 15 Years in Deadly Child Abuse Case

Moorhead, MN (MinnesotaNow) - A Minnesota woman has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for her involvement in the death of a young child two years ago.

Woman Sentenced in Child Homicide Case

Twenty-four-year-old Shiann Lynn Erickson of Moorhead was charged with second-degree murder in July 2024 as a result of the investigation into the death of 3-year-old Easton Deronjic. Court documents indicate the child died on March 18, 2024, after he was rushed to a hospital in Fargo for treatment.

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Father Previously Sentenced in Case

The child's father, 26-year-old Rosa Esperanza Garza, was also charged with second-degree murder in the case. He was previously sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Police Responded to Report of Unresponsive Child

According to the criminal complaints, police in Moorhead were dispatched to an apartment and found a woman with an unresponsive little boy who appeared to have heavy bruising on his face and body. The court document says the woman told police she had arrived about 20 minutes earlier at the request of the child's father, who indicated he was taking his girlfriend to the hospital.

Investigators Determined Child Died From Assault

Following the child's death, the criminal complaint indicates an autopsy determined his death was due to blunt force injuries, including a blow to the abdomen that caused peritonitis due to a perforation of his bowel. The document also states that the final autopsy report outlined evidence of 28 blunt force injuries and ruled the child's death a homicide caused by assault.