Cranston Father To Serve 27 Years For Killing 2-Month-Old Son

CRANSTON, RI — A Cranston father was sentenced to nearly three decades in prison after admitting to murdering his three-month-old baby, Attorney General Peter Neronha said.

Elias Romero, 29, pleaded no contest to second-degree murder charges in the 2016 death of his son, Giovanni. On Wednesday, he was sentenced to 40 years at the Adult Correctional Institutions, with 27 to serve and the rest suspended with probation.

"In cases involving the loss of a child, prosecutors and law enforcement are keenly aware of the great responsibility they have to seek justice on behalf of an inherently vulnerable victim," Neronha said. "I hope that the lengthy sentence handed down by the court today represents some small measure of justice for Giovanni’s family and loved ones. I am grateful for the dedicated work of the Cranston Police Department throughout this case."

According to Neronha's office, Romero seriously injured the infant by shaking him July 7, 2016, leading to his death two days later. When emergency responders arrived at the Station Street house, Giovanni was unresponsive, laying on a mattress.

The baby was rushed to Hasbro Children's Hospital, where he was intubated because he was unable to breathe on his own. A CT scan showed "significant trauma" to his head and bleeding throughout his brain. These injuries were consistent with Shaken Baby Symdrome, also known as Abusive Head Trauma, Neronha's office said. He died July 9, 2016.

During the investigation, Romero told police that he shook Giovanni because he was frustrated with his crying, Neronha's office said.