Massachusetts

Chelsea mother charged in death of 3-year-old son

The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office says the child was found unresponsive Sunday morning and did not survive

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A Chelsea, Massachusetts, mother has been charged in the death of her 3-year-old son, the district attorney said Tuesday.

Jennifer Prudencio, 25, is charged with involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment of a child after her son, Yael Guardado-Prodencia, was found unresponsive in their apartment on Spencer Street over the weekend, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office.

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Yael did not survive.

"A situation like this is really tough," said Rui, a neighbor.

"The only thing is on Sunday, when I was taking the trash out, I saw a woman crying, and the paramedics were there," said a woman who lives down the hall and did not want to appear on camera. "Things happen. I'm not surprised that it happened. But you never know what people go through in their life."

Few additional details were immediately available.

"The death of someone so young is a tragedy beyond words," Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said in a statement. "My heart goes out to all who knew and loved this young boy, and to the police and emergency services personnel who responded to the scene that sad morning."

An investigation is ongoing and more information is expected to be released at her arraignment, which is scheduled for Wednesday.

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