Uncle Accused of Brutal Murder of 3-Year-Old Nephew

PENSACOLA, FL – A three-year-old boy suffered a fate no child should endure, allegedly at the hands of his own uncle. Samuel Antonio Maldonado-Erazo is accused of brutally abusing and murdering his nephew, a case that has shocked the Escambia County community and drawn the attention of federal immigration authorities.

On March 4, authorities responded to a 911 call reporting the child in cardiac arrest. He was rushed to a local hospital, but succumbed to his injuries. The subsequent investigation revealed a horrifying litany of abuse: at least 17 strikes to the head, extensive bruising, intentional burns, a broken collarbone, a transected pancreas from blunt trauma, and several broken ribs – one completely detached from his spine, according to Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons. Maldonado-Erazo allegedly brought the child to work with him and ignored clear signs of the boy’s escalating distress.

The boy’s mother, Wendy Esther Hernandez Reyes, abandoned the toddler with Maldonado-Erazo when she was deported in January. ICE Director Todd M. Lyons issued a scathing statement, stating Reyes “chose to leave her son here with a violent murderer who took his life.” Lyons pointedly noted ICE offers opportunities for parents to be removed with their children, but Reyes opted not to do so. The agency has lodged an immigration detainer against Maldonado-Erazo.

Federal authorities say Maldonado-Erazo illegally entered the U.S. in August 2021, during a period they characterize as marked by “catastrophic catch-and-release policies” under the Biden administration. He was released into the country along with his own daughter, a Honduran national. Maldonado-Erazo had no prior criminal record in the U.S. beyond the illegal entry, but now faces manslaughter charges in connection with his nephew’s death. His wife is currently in custody, and their three children – two U.S. citizens – are in the care of Florida’s Department of Child Services.

ICE officials confirm Maldonado-Erazo was encountered by authorities on March 5 at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Jail following his arrest. The agency intends to pursue his removal from the country if and when he is released from custody. The case has reignited debate over immigration enforcement and the safety of vulnerable children left behind when parents are deported.

Grimy Times will continue to follow this developing story. Readers with information regarding crimes or suspicious activity are encouraged to contact ICE at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or submit an online tip. You can find ICE on X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, or Truth Social.