Update: Suspect in child’s death appears in court on manslaughter charge

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WLNE) — Joao Resendes, 25, of Pawtucket faced a judge on manslaughter charges Wednesday in the death of a one-year-old child.

Resendes appeared in court and bail was set at $100,000 surety and he was ordered to surrender his passport and sign a waiver of extradition.

He was prohibited from making contact with anyone under 18 years of age.

He will next appear in court on May 20, 2024 for a pre-trial conference in Superior Court.

The uncle of the deceased infant, Adrian Viveiros, appeared as well to make a statement.

According to Pawtucket Police and Fire a total of four people are being charged with several counts of child endangerment and manslaughter.

On Feb. 11, Pawtucket officials responded to a Pawtucket apartment for the report of an unresponsive one-year-old.

When officials arrived at the scene, the child was not breathing and had significant bruising on his face.

The child was transported to Hasbro Children’s Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The residents of the apartment were taken into police custody for questioning.

Three females were charged with child endangerment. The male involved was charged with manslaughter, three counts of second degree child abuse, and child endangerment.

In addition to Resendes, the other individuals involved have been identified as:

Carolina V. Ledo, 22, of Pawtucket, RI

Carla Sousa, 32, of Pawtucket, RI

Daniela Ledo, 25, of Pawtucket, RI

All three women were arraigned Monday.

Resendes was arraigned on Monday and held at the ACI. He will appear in court on Wednesday, Feb. 14.