A daycare owner in California is facing serious legal charges following the tragic death of a 5-month-old baby in her care earlier this month.

The incident unfolded at Cherished Years Daycare in Manteca on October 22, as reported by CBS News. Emergency services were called to the daycare for an unresponsive infant, who was later identified as Christian Olvera.

Sadly, Christian passed away on October 24 at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland. Authorities noted that there were no visible signs of trauma on the infant, and they are currently awaiting the results of an official autopsy to determine the cause of death.

When officers arrived at the scene, they reportedly found Roxanne Helus, the daycare owner, under the influence of alcohol. She was arrested on suspicion of felony child endangerment and causing the death of a child under the age of 8.

“Upon arrival, officers engaged with the daycare owner and observed signs of intoxication. Further investigation confirmed she was over the legal alcohol limit,” stated Manteca police Sergeant Steven Beermann.

Police said Christian went to the licensed daycare during the week, described as an at-home daycare on Merlin Lane.

On the day in question, four adults and three children were inside the daycare. The other children were found unharmed.

“Our family got a call that Christian had stopped breathing and was being taken to a local hospital,” Christian’s aunt, Erica Valdivia, told ABC 10. “At that time, there weren’t very many details disclosed to the family.”

According to state records obtained by ABC 10, there have been no formal complaints filed against the daycare. However, Helus’ previously daycare had four complaints filed. Two of those claims were justified.

A 2023 complaint indicated that Helus had been running an unlicensed daycare. A complaint in 2024 stated that she allowed other adults to care for the children, KORA reports. Both claims were substantiated.

The California Department of Social Services is now conducting an investigation.

The Manteca Police Department said that additional charges could follow, pending the autopsy results.

“These are unfortunate, very complex cases,” Beermann said. “And so the way this starts is it kind of starts backwards. You can’t determine that any wrongdoing was done until an autopsy determines that.”

Helus has since made bail and released from jail.

Anyone with additional information on the case is urged to contact Manteca police at 209-456-8101.

Check back for updates.

[Feature Photo: Handout]