MOORHEAD, MN — A former Minnesota caregiver has received a 20-year prison sentence for the murder of a 3-year-old boy, marking a grim close to a case that highlighted severe child abuse. Mason Garza, previously known as Rosa Esperanza Garza, entered a guilty plea to second-degree murder in the tragic death of toddler Eastyn James Deronjic.
Under the terms of the sentencing delivered by Judge Tammy L. Merkins, Garza is required to serve at least two-thirds of the term, translating to over 13 years, before eligibility for supervised probation arises. This legal outcome underscores the state’s stern approach to handling cases involving harm to minors.
In a related proceeding, 23-year-old Shiann Lynn Erickson, who faces the same charges as Garza, has pled not guilty. Her court trial is expected later this year, which could further unravel details of the heart-wrenching incident.
The case came to light on March 18, 2024, after law enforcement and emergency teams were summoned to a residence in Moorhead, located roughly 230 miles northwest of Minneapolis. Upon arrival, they discovered the young boy unresponsive with severe bruising over his body. Despite immediate medical interventions and transport to Sanford Hospital, Eastyn’s life could not be saved.
Investigations disclosed that Eastyn and his younger sister had been under the care of Garza and Erickson for several months. The defendants were acquaintances of the children’s biological parents, who, at the time, did not reside with their offspring. Following the traumatic event, Eastyn’s sister was placed in protective custody, highlighting the immediate concern for her safety.
The exact circumstances of Eastyn’s death remained unclear until June 28, 2024, when an autopsy performed by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death as a blunt force injury that fatally damaged the boy’s bowel. This injury, along with 28 other documented wounds, led officials to classify the death as a homicide.
Further inquiry into the matter painted a bleak picture of the child’s final hours. A witness, who had been at the apartment to babysit, recounted how she found Eastyn vomiting and struggling to breathe, which rapidly progressed to him becoming unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after.
The boy’s mother, who had not seen her children for about two weeks before the fatal incident, had previously noticed bruises on Eastyn. She presumed these were due to his clumsiness, but a phone conversation shortly before his death suggested his condition was far worse than she realized. Despite this, she had no direct knowledge of the abuse he faced under Garza and Erickson’s care.
During the investigation, the defendants provided conflicting stories about the source of Eastyn’s bruises. Garza attributed them to falls and a bicycle accident, while Erickson denied witnessing any abusive acts towards Eastyn, though she admitted to suffering abuse herself at Garza’s hands. However, evidence such as text messages from Erickson hinted at her awareness of the abusive environment.
This harrowing case has prompted calls for stronger safeguards and vigilant monitoring to protect vulnerable children, issues at the forefront of child welfare debates. The community continues to grapple with how best to prevent such tragedies and ensure the safety and well-being of every child.