The house where a toddler was found unresponsive and died of suffocation in September was a state-certified child-care home.
Mia Castanon, 22 months, was pronounced dead Sept. 11 at University of Arizona Medical Center after being taken by ambulance from the home in the 2800 block of North Silver Island Way. The two-story house is in a neighborhood north of West Grant Road and east of North Silverbell Road.
The Pima County medical examiner ruled Mia’s death a homicide.
Daena Soto, 31, who operated the Department of Economic Security certified family child-care home was facing charges of negligent homicide Monday.
Michelle Saint Hilarie, program director for Child Care Resource and Referral — a program of the nonprofit Child and Family Resources — confirmed that Soto was certified to operate the child-care home.
How long Soto operated the home, when it was last inspected by state workers, and whether any complaints were filed against the home were not immediately available Tuesday.
An autopsy report showed that Mia died of asphyxia. Mia also suffered from brain swelling, and her body had contusions on the scalp, and abrasions and contusions on her body, according to the medical examiner’s report.
Attorney Michael Bloom, who is representing Mia’s parents, said his clients are “pleased authorities are continuing their investigation.”
“They have a terrible sense of loss and it is coupled with questions” as a result of the autopsy and evidence that is surfacing, said Bloom.
“They want closure and answers, and will cooperate with police to try and get those answers,” Bloom said.
Mia’s older sister, 5, was also taken care of in Soto’s home for years, said Bloom.
In addition to Daena Soto, her husband, Ricardo Soto Jr., 32, also was arrested Monday and is facing one count of tampering with evidence, said Sgt. Chris Widmer, a Tucson Police Department spokesman. Daena Soto’s mother-in-law, Guadalupe Soto, 55, was arrested earlier and is also facing one count of tampering with evidence, Widmer said.
On Sept. 11 shortly before 5:30 p.m., officers responded to UAMC in reference to an unresponsive baby. The child was pronounced dead before officers arrived, said Widmer.
Officers then went to the house and secured the scene. The investigation was taken over by detectives of the dependent child unit.
At the time of the incident, there were five adults and 11 children inside the home, Widmer said.
Daena Soto had put Mia down for a nap about 4 p.m., and she was found a short time later unresponsive by a family member of Daena Soto’s, and 911 was called, said Widmer.
Detectives learned that family members cleaned the house before police arrived, and that Guadalupe Soto had removed a blanket from the house. Detectives believe Mia was wrapped in that blanket when she was found unresponsive. On Sept. 15, detectives recovered the blanket.
On Monday, detectives received the autopsy results, and based on the findings they re-interviewed Daena Soto and her husband. Detectives determined that Daena Soto “was responsible for the sole care and custody of the victim at the time of the incident,” said Widmer.
A search warrant affidavit filed in court by Tucson police said officers seized from the house several cellphones, paper records and manuals, a vacuum and its contents, a blanket and other items. Also, police measured a bed in the house.
According to state regulations, “anyone providing care for children ages 0 to 14 in a facility, or 0 to 12 in a home for compensation must be licensed if they are caring for more than four children at one time,” said Hilarie.
“We urge parents to use a licensed child-care center or a certified family child-care home because they must meet state rules. The rules include all must have criminal background checks, the home is inspected for health and safety requirements, and workers have yearly training,” Hilarie said.
A family child-care home, such as the one that was operated by Daena Soto, is inspected three times a year. Two inspection visits are scheduled, and one is not. A licensed child-care center is inspected once a year, said Hilarie.
Each time a complaint is filed, an inspection is conducted of the child-care home or center, she said.
Hilarie said her program provides parents with a list of licensed child-care providers, and she recommends that they visit at least three and ask to see their certificate or license.
For further information, call Hilarie at 881-8940.
