A 2-year-old boy in the United States is in critical condition after allegedly being beaten by a drunk babysitter. Giovanni Reichert, the toddler, underwent several surgeries in the past few months after his mother entrusted him to McKinley Slone Hernandez, a “trusted friend,” on September 1. The child had part of his skull removed and underwent other life-saving procedures. However, it remains unclear what exactly happened to him as the babysitter refuses to confess to anything.
Stephanie Reichert, Giovanni’s mother, revealed that Ms. Hernandez admitted to drinking while caring for her son but did not provide any details about the injuries. Stephanie stated, “I make up scenarios in my head all the time for the injuries he sustained, so I wish I knew.” The mother received a distressing text message from Hernandez a few hours after leaving her son with her, stating that Giovanni had become lifeless after a bath, prompting her to rush to St. Anthony’s Hospital.
Metro reports that the boy was airlifted to the hospital and underwent emergency surgery for a brain bleed. He was placed in an induced coma and has since undergone several additional operations. A GoFundMe page set up for Giovanni describes him as a happy and healthy child prior to the incident, leaving his parents devastated.
Upon finding her son, Stephanie discovered signs of blunt-force trauma to his head and body. Ms. Hernandez often provided childcare at her unlicensed facility in Lakewood, Colorado, where she looked after Giovanni and other children. Although Stephanie had agreed to let Hernandez care for her son overnight, the situation quickly turned into a crime scene.
Ms. Hernandez has now been arrested on suspicion of child abuse and is being held on a $100,000 bond. Giovanni’s family is anxiously awaiting updates on his condition, hoping for his recovery.