A mother and father accused of killing their 16-month-old son through extended child abuse pleaded not guilty Friday in San Diego Superior Court.
Jamar Branch, 39, and Helena Branch, 37, are accused of neglecting their son Benjamin Branch to the point that the toddler was underweight, underfed and died at a hospital late last year, investigators said.
The parents were charged with eight separate counts, including murder, felony child abuse and misdemeanor child abuse. They face a maximum sentence of life in prison, prosecutors said.
During Friday’s arraignment, the Branch’s family and friends filled the back two rows of the courtroom while the toddler’s parents listened from behind glass windows in holding cells.
At the front of the room, Deputy District Attorney Ramona McCarthy argued it would be in the best interest of the couple’s children, who are listed as victims and witnesses in the case, to not speak with either of their parents.
“This is a case in which various mandatory reporters, concerned neighbors and people in the community — for the last 15 years — have contacted Child Protective Services to report concern for both of these defendants’ children,” McCarthy said. “These defendants have refused to cooperate with … CPS and law enforcement. They have instructed and, for lack of a better term, brainwashed their children to also do the same.”
Defense attorneys for the parents asked the court to allow them to have some form of contact with their children. The courtroom became emotional — and Helena Branch burst out in tears — when Judge Euketa Oliver ordered that the parents not have contact with the victims in the case.
Both defense attorneys declined to comment on the case following the hearing.
The hearing came nearly three months after Helene Branch called 911 around 11:40 a.m. on Nov. 6 to report that her son was unresponsive and not breathing at an apartment on Evening Creek Drive east of Interstate 15 in Sabre Springs, San Diego, police Lt. Jon Dungan previously said.
The child was taken to a hospital, where he died. Over the course of the following months, the Police Department’s homicide unit, county Medical Examiner’s Office, the D.A.’s Office and Rady’s Children’s Hospital investigated and determined the toddler had been neglected over a “lengthy period of time, ultimately leading to his death,” Dungan said.
Jamar and Helena Branch were ultimately arrested Wednesday at the county Juvenile Court building, investigators said.
The court ordered that the two parents remain in custody without bail.
Their next appearance in court is set for April 8.
