Sheriff: Video showing mother accused of killing her 4-year-old adopted son and throwing him into a swimming pool with his hands tied behind his back.- Patricia Saintizaire is due in court on June 6
A Florida woman was arrested Wednesday in connection with the death of a 4-year-old boy she adopted from Haiti and brought back to the United States last year, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.
Patricia Saintizaire, 36, is charged with murder, aggravated child abuse and obstruction of justice in the death of her son, Bryan Boyer, who died May 2 of a liver injury that hospital staff ruled was suspicious, according to the announcement from the sheriff’s office in central Florida.
Speaking at a news conference in Winter Haven after the arrest, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said Bryan, born in Haiti, was adopted by Saintizaire last year.
According to the sheriff’s announcement, Bryan’s adopted brother came home from school that day and was told to bring him some food. The brother reportedly noticed that Bryan was struggling and could neither walk nor sit up on his own.
Saintizaire allegedly told Bryan’s brother that he was “faking it” and to feed him, but Bryan became unconscious, according to the sheriff’s office. The brother allegedly tried to revive Bryan with CPR, then told Saintizaire they needed to take him to the hospital.
When a detective went to Saintizaire’s house after the boy’s death, the mother allegedly said Bryan had complained of feeling “weak and tired” the day before he died, according to a probable cause document obtained by HuffPost.
During the initial interview with Saintizaire, detectives reported that she repeatedly denied ever physically abusing Bryan, and the teenage brother allegedly told a detective that he never witnessed any abuse, according to the probable cause document.
A search of his home reportedly revealed blood on the door of one of the bedrooms and on the bathroom carpet. Detectives also reported observing freshly plastered holes in the bedroom wall.
Emergency surgery at the hospital was unable to stop Bryan’s abdominal bleeding, and he was pronounced dead after his condition continued to deteriorate, the sheriff’s office said.
Detectives reportedly learned from Bryan’s autopsy that he had fresh scars on his back and that his liver had a deep laceration caused by “targeted blunt trauma,” according to the document. The medical examiner reportedly said Bryan’s injuries were consistent with continued abuse and ruled his death a homicide.
Bryan’s older brother was taken into custody. He later allegedly told detectives that his mother told him, “when you’re asked a question, don’t say anything so I don’t get in trouble,” according to the sheriff’s announcement.
Bryan’s brother also allegedly told detectives that Saintizaire had made threats against both children, once saying, “If I had a gun, you would both be dead by now,” according to the probable cause document.
The arrest document also alleges that a search of Saintizaire’s phone revealed a video clip, dated October 20, 2023, showing her punching Bryan multiple times.
The video, obtained by HuffPost, appears to show an unconscious Bryan on the ground as Saintizaire continues to punch him.
Another video taken two days later, also obtained by HuffPost, appears to show Saintizaire throwing Bryan into a swimming pool while his hands were tied behind his back.
The videos were taken at the family’s home, according to the document.
The Polk County School District released a statement to local television station Bay News 9, calling Bryan’s death “tragic news” for the community.
“No child should lose their life in this way,” the statement said. “Our thoughts are with friends, loved ones and all those who knew him. »
Saintizaire is due in court on June 6. A court-appointed attorney listed as his attorney did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.
