Jennifer Prudencio, 27, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and three counts of reckless endangerment after her three-year-old son, Yael Guardado-Prudencio, who had hemophilia, was found dead on the morning of April 7, 2024. The toddler had suffered a seizure the prior week, was vomiting blood, and had an unhealed facial wound despite two medical visits. Prudencio left Yael with his 7- and 8-year-old siblings while she spent the night away; the 8-year-old texted her a worried video during the night. On Sept. 22 she was sentenced to 4–6 years in prison followed by three years of probation and is held at MCI–Framingham.
Mass. Mother Sentenced to 4–6 Years After Hemophiliac Toddler Found Dead Following Night Out
Jennifer Prudencio in courtCredit: NBC10 Boston
Jennifer Prudencio, 27, of Chelsea, Massachusetts, was sentenced on Sept. 22 to four to six years in prison followed by three years of probation after pleading guilty in the April 2024 death of her three-year-old son, Yael Guardado-Prudencio.
Prosecutors say Yael, who had a diagnosed history of hemophilia, experienced a seizure the week before his death and suffered a facial injury that was not healing. He had also been vomiting blood, and his mother sought medical care for him twice in the days leading up to the incident.
On the night of Saturday, April 6, 2024, Yael remained pale and continued to vomit. Despite those symptoms, Prudencio left the home to go to a bar and later spent the night at her boyfriend's Somerville residence, leaving Yael in the care of his two older siblings, aged 7 and 8, according to court filings and local reports.
During the night the 8-year-old texted Prudencio a video and message expressing concern about Yael. Prosecutors say Prudencio replied that she would be home soon but chose to stay out; she did not return until about 10 a.m. the next morning, when Yael was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead.
Charges, Plea and Sentencing
Prudencio was arrested on April 9, 2024, and initially pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment of a child. On Sept. 22 she pleaded guilty to manslaughter and three counts of reckless endangerment of a child in connection with Yael's death and received the prison term and probation as part of her sentence.
Assistant Suffolk County Prosecutor Audrey Mark told reporters that despite receiving a worrying message from her 8-year-old, Prudencio "chose to stay out all night."
Prudencio is currently held at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution–Framingham, according to online records. A GoFundMe has been launched to support the family. Prudencio's attorney did not respond to requests for comment from reporters.
Sources: Reporting from People, CBS Boston, Boston.com, The Boston Globe and NBC 10.
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