WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) — The man charged with homicide within the loss of life of 5-year-old Jeremiah Oliver, whose physique was present in a suitcase beside a Massachusetts freeway in 2014, pleaded not responsible at his arraignment on Thursday and was held with out bail.
Alberto Sierra Jr., 32, was the previous boyfriend of Jeremiah’s mom and was arrested on Wednesday, in keeping with the workplace of Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr.
Prosecutors didn’t say what led to Sierra’s arrest. Messages looking for remark had been left together with his lawyer.
Jeremiah’s physique was present in April 2014 alongside Interstate 190 in Sterling, about an hour west of Boston, and never removed from his household’s dwelling in Fitchburg. But the boy was final seen alive in September 2013, and was not reported lacking till December of that 12 months.
The case has weighed closely on the thoughts of Fitchburg Police Chief Ernest Martineau, who was concerned within the intitial investigation.
“This case rocked the conscience of the city of Fitchburg,” he mentioned outdoors Worcester Superior Court. “At one point, we were Jeremiah’s family, 45,000 residents in the city, and we are here today, beginning the process of healing.”
The case reverberated throughout the state, with even then-Gov. Deval Patrick saying he was attempting to “keep my own rage in check.” The boy’s loss of life additionally led to 3 workers of the state’s baby welfare company getting fired, and spurred reforms on the company.
Jeremiah’s household was being supervised by the state Department of Children and Families. Even earlier than his physique was found, an investigation discovered {that a} social employee with the kid welfare company went months with out visiting the household’s dwelling — regardless of studies of abuse and neglect.
The loss of life was not dominated a murder till February of 2016 when an post-mortem by the state medical expert mentioned that he died of “homicidal violence of undetermined” causes.
Sierra was convicted in 2017 of assaulting Jeremiah’s mom and siblings and sentenced to as much as seven years in jail. He was not at the moment incarcerated when he was arrested Wednesday, the district lawyer’s workplace mentioned.
Jeremiah’s mom, Elsa Oliver, additionally pleaded responsible in 2017 to assault and battery and reckless endangerment in connection together with her different two youngsters and was sentenced to greater than seven years in jail.
Prosecutors dropped costs towards each of them in reference to Jeremiah’s disappearance and alleged abuse with a purpose to keep away from potential double jeopardy claims, prosecutors mentioned on the time.
Sierra can also be charged with disinterring a physique. He is scheduled again on courtroom on May 25. The investigation into the loss of life is ongoing, prosecutors mentioned.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”