SAN ANTONIO (WOAI) — New details have been revealed in connection to a child abuse case that left a 10-year-old boy dead and a San Antonio couple arrested for his murder.
RELATED: Adoptive parents arrested for death of 10-year-old child, charged with Capital Murder
Jonathan Phillip-Jesse, 34, and Christina Lynn, 32, were arrested on Wednesday and charged with capital murder in the death of their adoptive son, Michael Miranda, who authorities described as being a victim of severe child abuse that took place daily for more than a year.
Officers were called just before 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 24 to a home off Cielo Ranch near Midcrown Drive on the Northwest Side. Paramedics attempted to save the child after he was found unresponsive. Despite their efforts, the boy succumbed to his injuries.
According to the arrest report, Michael showed signs of long-term abuse and neglect, including emaciation, bruising across the body, abrasions on the face, legs, and feet, and large open sores in the diaper area. The medical examiner’s preliminary findings revealed fractured ribs in various stages of healing, head trauma, dislocated arm, and severe internal injuries, including a lacerated lower intestine, which is believed to have caused the child’s death.
Investigators discovered that the boy had been confined to a laundry room in the home for about a year, where he was subjected to repeated beatings. Forensic interviews with surviving children in the household revealed that the victim was hit daily with paddles and other objects, forced to stand with his arms raised against the wall for long periods, and left in soiled conditions.
During the interview, the children told detectives that Michael would be picked up by his feet and thrown to the floor several times until he stopped moving or whining,” according to the arrest report.
Charts made of cardboard and poster board documenting his behavior were reportedly found on the walls of the laundry room.
Police noted that the couple’s actions were intentional, targeting a child already weakened by starvation, malnutrition, and chronic physical abuse.
This was intentionally done to a 10-year-old that was already weakened by at least a year of daily abuse, neglect, and physical assaults,” the affidavit states.
Jonathan Miranda requested an attorney immediately and did not provide a statement, while Christina Miranda gave a brief account of the adoption and history of the victim before requesting legal counsel. During her statement, Christina told investigators that before his adoption, Michael had reportedly a “history of abuse, neglect and alleged sexual abuse.”
Jonathan Miranda’s attorney strongly disputes the allegations, arguing that the family sought help for years to address Michael’s serious mental health challenges, including Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD).
“Everyone who knows the Miranda family is shocked by the arrest of Jonathan and Christina,” the attorney said in a statement. “Both parents fully cooperated with Child Protective Services after the death of their son, Michael. Michael suffered from a number of physical and mental health issues, because of extensive abuse before becoming a part of the Miranda family, but the family was blessed to have tremendous support in caring for him, including members of their faith community, doctors, and other professionals, all of whom know the Mirandas as loving and dedicated parents.”
The attorney criticized SAPD’s handling of the case, claiming the department interfered with an ongoing CPS investigation.
“The evidence cited by SAPD is inconsistent with the evidence disclosed during the CPS investigation and the experiences of the many people who knew Michael,” the statement continued. “SAPD’s rushed investigation appears calculated to get headlines, not to protect any child. The Mirandas, however, are only concerned for their children at this time.”
The statement also accused police of using “violent arrest tactics” during what the defense described as a voluntary CPS meeting, seizing the family’s electronics, including their children’s school tablets, and disregarding medical records, videos, and witness testimony.
Both parents are from out of state, but Michael is believed to have been adopted in San Antonio.
The family were members of Grace Community Church. The other 5 children are believed to be in their custody.
