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'FOUND UNRESPONSIVE'

Mom & stepdad charged after boy, 7, was found dead ‘from severe abuse after being hit with objects for several months’

A MOM and stepdad have been charged after a seven-year-old boy was found dead from severe abuse, according to police

Police responded to a report of a child drowning at around 8pm Saturday in the 2400 block of Azelda Street in Columbus, Ohio, when they found the boy unresponsive.

 The boy's mom, 24-year-old Oneida Maldando-Cortez, was charged with murder
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The boy's mom, 24-year-old Oneida Maldando-Cortez, was charged with murderCredit: Columbus Ohio Police Department
 The boy's stepfather, 37-year-old Jose Emanual, was charged with endangering children
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The boy's stepfather, 37-year-old Jose Emanual, was charged with endangering childrenCredit: Columbus Ohio Police Department

Officers performed CPR on Fabian Maldando-Cortez, 7, until medics arrived.

He was then taken to Nationwide Children's Hospital in critical condition - where he was pronounced dead at 9.50pm.

"Investigation revealed Fabian Maldonado-Cortez was subjected to severe abuse which lead to his death," said Sunday.

The boy's mom, 24-year-old Oneida Maldando-Cortez, was charged with murder.

His stepfather, 37-year-old Jose Emanual, was charged with endangering children.

According to court documents, Emanual admitted to police he saw his wife hit Fabian with several objects for months, but he never notified police, .

Several wounds and lacerations were reportedly found on Fabian's body when police found him.

Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to call the Columbus Police Homicide Unit at 614-645-4730.

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