A Wyoming couple, 23-year-old Juliette Martinez and 24-year-old Joseph Hanson, have been charged with first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse in connection with the death of their 4-month-old son.
Child Hospitalized With Severe Injuries
On Aug. 8, 2025, hospital staff at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center reported that the infant was brought in by his parents in critical condition. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was airlifted to a children’s hospital in Denver, Colorado, for advanced care. Authorities said the hospital initially struggled to reach the parents after the transfer.
Evidence of Physical Abuse
Medical examinations revealed the child had multiple fractures and life-threatening brain trauma, injuries investigators said were consistent with physical abuse. The infant was placed on life support but died on Sept. 8, 2025, after being removed from it.
Parents’ Accounts Raise Questions
During interviews, both parents gave statements about the events leading up to the hospitalization. Martinez said she noticed the baby’s breathing was abnormal after waking late that morning, while Hanson said he had cared for the child overnight before leaving for work.
Investigators, however, identified inconsistencies in their accounts. Phone data suggested Martinez was active on social media during the time she claimed to be asleep, and records showed deleted messages during key hours.
Suspicious Internet Searches
Authorities also found concerning internet searches on Martinez’s phone around the time the child began showing symptoms. These included queries about shaken baby syndrome, whether symptoms could go away, and seizures in infants.
Investigation and Arrests
The case remained under investigation for several months. On March 20, 2026, the completed autopsy determined the child’s death was a homicide. Martinez and Hanson were arrested on April 8, 2026.
Court Proceedings
Both defendants have appeared in court and are scheduled to return for further proceedings on April 17. They remain in custody as the case moves forward.
