12-year-old in Fla. court Thursday on first-degree murder charge in brother's murder
(CBS) - The 12-year-old Cristian Fernandez appeared in a Florida courtroom Thursday for a pretrial hearing in the death of his 2-year-old brother.
The Florida State Attorney's Office is charging Fernandez as an adult with first-degree murder for the brutal beating death of David Galarrigo in March.
The 12-year-old's mother, Biannela Susana, was also at the courthouse Thursday to face a negligent manslaughter charge in connection to the death of her son, reports local station WJXT.
Instead of calling 911, police say Susana cleaned the toddler, changed his clothes, put ice on his head, and then got on the computer to research concussions, reports CBS affiliate WTEV.
Prosecutors asked during the hearing that visitation between Fernandez and his mother be limited so the two would not be able to collaborate on a story before their trials, according to WJXT. The two reportedly haven't seen each other since their arrests.
Judge Mallory Cooper made no ruling on that request or on a pending defense motion to lift a gag order on the lawyers in the case, WJXT reports.
Another pretrial hearing is scheduled for Sept. 1.
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June 3, 2011 - 12-year-old Cristian Fernandez charged as adult in 2-year-old brother's murder