WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A coroner has ruled a Kansas toddler’s death a homicide and determined the 2-year-old died of dehydration and malnutrition after being bound in pajamas.
Patrick Javonovich -photo Sedgwick Co.
Marchant photo Sedgwick County
Police found Zaiden Javonovich face down in a crib on April 11 after a neighbor reported a possible domestic disturbance at the family’s Wichita mobile home. His 4-month-old brother was found critically injured.
Zaiden’s mother, Brandi Marchant, 22, and his father, Patrick Javonovich, 28, are charged with felony murder and child abuse in his death.
Zaiden was swaddled and bound tightly around his chest with a pair of pajamas knotted at the arms when police found him. According to an autopsy report, the tight swaddling might have led to asphyxia and could have also contributed to his death.