SJ mother, stepfather charged after child living in cockroach-infested home, dies from asthma attack

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- The parents of 8-year-old Aurora Williams have been arrested and charged following a medical examiner's ruling that her death was a homicide.

The mother, Gabrielle Hanson, and stepfather, Jacob Randolph, made their first court appearance Tuesday. Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen said prosecutors charged the San Jose couple with felony child neglect in connection with Aurora's death following a severe asthma attack in May.

"Why does this keep happening? This little asthmatic girl and her brothers and sisters were living in a home filled with roaches, mold, animal feces, and two parents who were not providing enough care or food for their children," Rosen said.

Authorities responded to the family's East San Jose home in May after Aurora suffered the asthma attack. Rosen said Hanson and Randolph were criminally responsible for the medical neglect of their child and were formally arraigned Tuesday.

"When she was finally brought to a hospital, staff found that she was below 1% of her expected body weight and had roaches on her emaciated body. Do you know what Aurora's answer was when the hospital staff asked her about the vermin? The little girl said, 'oh yeah, bugs just crawl on me''," Rosen said.

At the same hearing, Hanson's brother, Jonathan Hanson, was charged with molesting one of Aurora's step-siblings who lived in the household and with possessing child pornography. Gabrielle Hanson was also charged with child endangerment in connection with those allegations.

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According to officials, 13 people and at least eight animals lived in the home, including Jonathan Hanson and the child he allegedly molested.

The Santa Clara County Department of Family and Children's Services had frequent involvement with the residence.

Authorities said the home was later deemed unlivable after conditions there contributed to Aurora's death. The other children in the household were placed in foster care.

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In a statement, Santa Clara County spokesperson Peter Gallota said the county was aware of the charges but could not comment further because the matter is ongoing litigation.

Rosen criticized the county's child welfare system and called for reforms.

"Somewhere in our county right now there are children that are in danger. Can we help them? I believe that we can. I believe that we must," Rosen said.

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Rosen said his office will form a team to examine issues within the welfare system. He also referenced other child deaths involving children who had been under county supervision.

"So today, we add Aurora is named to a tragic and growing list of children - Baby Phoenix and Baby Jaxon. They were helpless children victimized by the cruel, by the indifferent, by the addicted. Why is this happening when we have a system that is supposed to save children from abuse, from drugs, and from neglect? We have a system that's supposed to protect children from these things. Why is it not happening? Of course, this is a complex problem, but public servants are supposed to solve complex and difficult problems. These children's deaths have been met with reports and remorse and promises of reforms. And yet, here we are again," Rosen said.

All three defendants are scheduled to return to court November 20 to enter pleas.