Monterey County Sheriff’s deputies on Saturday arrested two women who were allegedly running an unlicensed daycare center after a 3-month-old infant died in their care.
Maria Marquez, 62, and her daughter, Johanna Marquez, 35, both of Royal Oaks, were charged with involuntary manslaughter, felony child endangerment and operating a child daycare facility without a license.
They were booked into the Monterey County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail, sheriff’s spokesman Andres Rosas said.
According to Rosas, deputies were dispatched to a residence on the 100 block of Hillcrest Road in Royal Oaks just before 10:30am for a report of an infant that was not conscious and not breathing.
The infant was transported to a local hospital, but was pronounced dead despite life-saving efforts.
Investigators learned that the unlicensed day care business was taking in up to 30 children of various ages at a time.
This is an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Detective Josue Ramirez at 831.253.6068. Information can be provided anonymously. Tips can be submitted via mcso.countyofmonterey.gov/anonymous-crime-tip
