Escambia County, FL — A 28-year-old man accused of abusing and killing his three-year-old nephew in Florida is now the subject of an immigration detainer filed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Samuel Antonio Maldonado-Erazo was arrested March 5, 2026, following the child’s death and is currently being held without bond at the Escambia County Jail.
Authorities say the incident occurred on Wednesday, March 4th, when the child was brought to a hospital after someone called 911 reporting he was in cardiac arrest. The boy later died from his injuries.
According to Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons, the child suffered extensive injuries consistent with sustained abuse. Investigators reported at least 17 strikes to the head, multiple broken ribs, including one detached from the spine, a broken collarbone, intentional burns, extensive bruising, and a transected pancreas caused by blunt force trauma.
Officials say Maldonado-Erazo had been caring for the child after the boy’s mother, Wendy Esther Hernandez Reyes, was removed from the United States on Jan. 26, 2026. Authorities said she chose not to take the child, who is a U.S. citizen, with her and left the boy in the care of her brother.
Investigators believe Maldonado-Erazo ignored clear signs the child was in serious medical distress and had even brought the boy to work with him before emergency services were contacted.
Maldonado-Erazo, who had been living in Cantonment, Florida, is charged with homicide, negligent manslaughter, and cruelty toward a child.
According to ICE officials, Maldonado-Erazo illegally entered the United States in August 2021 and was released into the country with his daughter. Authorities said he had no prior criminal record in the United States aside from the immigration violation.
Authorities said Maldonado-Erazo’s wife has also been taken into custody. Their three children, two of whom are U.S. citizens, are currently in the care of the Florida Department of Children and Families.
“This crime is absolutely sickening,” said ICE Director Todd M. Lyons. “This little boy suffered extensively and died when his mother abandoned him to Maldonado-Erazo’s ‘care’ — and Maldonado-Erazo himself is an illegal alien who never should’ve been in this country in the first place. I encourage parents to self-deport with their children, but even if they choose not to do that, ICE gives them the opportunity to be removed with their kids. But despite that option, Reyes chose to leave her son here with a violent murderer who took his life.”
ICE officials said the agency intends to remove Maldonado-Erazo from the United States if he is released from criminal custody.
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