Thursday, 4:30 PM
DSS was monitoring New Bedford family in shaken baby fatality
(Family photograph)
Josiah Pacheco died Monday after he was taken to the hospital with injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome.
By John R. Ellement, Globe Staff
The Department of Social Services was actively monitoring the family of a 10-month-old New Bedford boy who authorities allege was shaken to death by his mother's boyfriend.
"They are known to us and they are clients," Denise Monteiro, a DSS spokeswoman, said today by telephone. "It's an open case."
Bristol County authorities have charged Manuel Antonio Torres Lopez, 28, with assault and battery of Josiah Pacheco. Prosecutors are expected to bring additional charges after the state medical examiner's office completes an autopsy of the boy, who was born Sept. 12, according to Gregg Miliote, a spokesman for Bristol District Attorney C. Samuel Sutter.
It appears that Josiah died from shaken baby syndrome, said Miliote, who identified the child's mother as Jennifer Serrano.
Serrano also has a 4-year-old girl, who DSS took into temporary custody while officials review DSS involvement with the family, Monteiro said. Child welfare officials, including DSS Commissioner Angelo McClain, are reviewing the agency's handling of the family’s case.
New Bedford police were called to Serrano's home on Deane Street Saturday afternoon and found Josiah unresponsive. He was rushed to St. Luke's Hospital and then transferred to Hasbro Children's Hospital in Rhode Island, where he was placed on life support. The child was removed from life support at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Miliote said.
Lopez was interviewed by police Monday, arrested, and charged with assault and battery on a household member and assault and battery on a child causing serious injury. He pleaded not guilty Tuesday in New Bedford Superior Court and was ordered held without bail. Lopez also had his bail revoked on an outstanding cocaine trafficking charges filed in June, Miliote said.
Pacheco's death is the second time this year that DSS has come under fire in New Bedford. In May, a 3-year-old girl allegedly had her lower lip bitten off by her mother's boyfriend after months of physical abuse. McClain launched an internal investigation into that case but has not made the findings public.
John R. Ellement can be reached at ellement@globe.com
