Mother also charged with murder in death of 2-year-old in Canton
Diaz Perez. Courtesy of Canton Police Department
CANTON, Ga. - The mother of a 2-year-old child who died at a Canton home has been arrested, becoming the second person charged in the ongoing death investigation.
What we know:
Canton police said 18-year-old Devorah Diaz Perez was taken into custody Thursday evening after detectives interviewed her and continued investigating the child's death at a residence in the 300 block of Cartersville Street.
Diaz Perez is charged with one count of second-degree murder, two counts of second-degree cruelty to children and three counts of reckless conduct.
She was booked into the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center.
Boyfriend previously charged with malice murder
The backstory:
Diaz Perez's arrest comes less than three weeks after police arrested her live-in boyfriend, 22-year-old Celso Edison Vicente Y Vicente, on Aug. 3.
Vicente Y Vicente was charged with malice murder and first-degree cruelty to children in connection with the same child's death.
Police have not released additional details about what investigators believe happened to the child or what specifically led to the charges against Diaz Perez.
The department said it is withholding information about interviews, evidence and other circumstances because the criminal cases remain pending.
Canton police arrest man after toddler dies
Canton Police arrested 22-year-old Celso Vicente on charges of malice murder and cruelty to children following the death of a 2-year-old boy.
Investigation remains active
What's next:
Canton Police Chief Marty Ferrell said detectives continue to investigate the child's death with assistance from several other agencies.
"The death of a child is heartbreaking, and our detectives remain committed to conducting a thorough and professional investigation," Ferrell said. "We appreciate the continued assistance of our law enforcement and criminal justice partners as we work to protect the integrity of this case and allow the judicial process to move forward."
The Cherokee County District Attorney's Office, Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Unit, Cherokee County Emergency Medical Services and Georgia Bureau of Investigation Medical Examiner's Office have assisted with the investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Canton police Detective Erin Fulenwider at 770-720-4883.
Both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.