18-20 Year Sentence for the Murder of a Toddler

18-20 Year Sentence for the Murder of a Toddler
by Marion Geiger

BOSTON—With his head bowed, a 28-year-old man from Dorchester admitted to killing his girlfriend’s young child in 2006.

Daniel Santana pleaded guilty for the involuntary murder and also for the possession of heroin and cocaine that he intended to distribute at the time. He is quoted by Daniel F. Conley’s office to have said he wanted “to get sentenced for my mistakes.”

In June of 2006, Santana admitted that he beat and eventually killed Jaziel Ponce, a 23-month-old baby who belonged to Santana’s girlfriend. Jaziel’s mother was reported to have been visiting Santana at his Harbor Point Community Apartments in Dorchester.

Witnesses are reported to have said that Santana came downstairs with the baby after the child had been napping and that he had a bluish-grey tint to him.

As the family arrived shortly after Santana carried the child downstairs, they called emergency medical services, and the baby was rushed to the hospital. Jaziel was pronounced dead at 5:30 p.m. from physical trauma to the abdomen caused by force and a wounded liver. He also had bruises all over his chest, stomach, arms and back.

According to a press release by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s press office, Assistant District Attorney David Deakin called Jaziel’s death “tragic and wholly unnecessary” and recommended 18 to 20 years in state prison followed by two 30-month periods of probation for the possession and dealing of Class A and B drugs. Deakin also suggested that Santana not be allowed near children younger than 18 years unless accompanied by an adult who is informed of how he killed Jaziel.

Superior Court Judge Margaret Hinkle accepted the recommendation by Deakin so Santana has been sentenced for 18 to 20 years