San Bernardino couple now awaiting trial for death of 1-year-old while in protective custody as they face serious and grave accusations.
A couple from the San Bernardino Mountains is currently in protective custody as they face serious accusations related to the tragic death of 1-year-old Henry Wheatley Brown.
Samantha Victoria Garver, 34, and her boyfriend, Sergio Vincent Mena, 33, appeared in San Bernardino County Superior Court on January 7, 2025, donning olive-green jail jumpsuits.
This attire signifies their separation from the general incarcerated population, which typically wears orange jumpsuits.
Custody Details
Garver is being held at West Valley Detention Center located in Rancho Cucamonga, while Mena is detained at High Desert Detention Center in Adelanto.
The specifics surrounding their protective custody were not discussed in open court during their recent appearance.
However, it is common for individuals accused of crimes against children to be kept apart from the general inmate population for their safety.
Upcoming Court Proceedings
During the court session, a new date for the next hearing was set for April 8, 2025.
This session will allow the lawyers and the presiding judge to discuss the current status of the case.
The District Attorney’s Office indicated that additional time is needed to appoint a lead prosecutor for the proceedings. Garver and Mena were arrested on October 2, 2023, following the tragic incident.
Pleas and Legal Representation
Samantha Garver has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge, while Sergio Mena, who is not Henry’s biological father, has denied both murder and child abuse charges that could lead to significant bodily harm.
Their respective attorneys, Christopher Lucero for Garver and J.C. Allen for Mena, chose not to comment on the case when approached by reporters.
Family members of Mena also opted to remain silent as they exited the San Bernardino Justice Center, reflecting the somber nature of the proceedings.
Circumstances Surrounding Henry’s Death
Henry Wheatley Brown succumbed to his injuries on October 1, 2023, after paramedics responded to an emergency call at the couple’s residence in Sugarloaf, a community situated east of Big Bear Lake.
Upon arrival, emergency personnel found the infant unresponsive and suffering from burns.
According to statements made by Garver to a county Children and Family Services investigator, she had left Henry in Mena’s care while she went out for the night.
She was reportedly aware that Mena had been using methamphetamine and had not slept for two days prior to leaving.
Documentation reveals that Mena admitted to leaving Henry unattended in a bathtub with running water while he consumed drugs.
When Garver returned home the next morning, she discovered Henry had sustained burns to his penis and lower legs.
The couple reportedly did not seek medical assistance for Henry for approximately 12 hours, opting instead to administer an antihistamine before finally calling 911 around 8 p.m.
They informed paramedics that Henry’s heart had stopped roughly 20 minutes before help arrived.
Tragically, he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
Prior Warnings Ignored
Alarmingly, public documents reveal that concerned family members, including a grandmother and the mother of a babysitter, had previously alerted county officials to the potential dangers Henry faced.
Despite these warnings, he remained in the care of Garver and Mena, culminating in this heartbreaking incident.
The upcoming court proceedings will be closely monitored as the community grapples with the implications of this tragic case and the safety of its children.
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