A California woman who operated a home daycare has been sentenced to six years in state prison after pleading guilty in connection with the death of a 5-month-old infant who suffered a fatal medical emergency while under her supervision.
Roxanne Helus, 49, was sentenced on Monday after previously pleading guilty in June to child abuse and endangerment, involuntary manslaughter, and driving under the influence (DUI). The case stems from the October 2025 death of 5-month-old Christian Olvera.
According to the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office, Helus also admitted that she abused a position of trust as a licensed childcare provider responsible for the safety of young children.
Infant Was One of Six Children Under Her Supervision
Prosecutors said Helus was caring for six children on Oct. 22, 2025, including Christian Olvera, at her home daycare in Manteca, California.
The investigation began after Helus called for help, reporting that the infant was not breathing.
When officers with the Manteca Police Department arrived at the residence, another adult was already performing CPR on the baby. Officers immediately noticed that Helus appeared to be intoxicated.
Christian was rushed to a local hospital before being transferred to Oakland Children’s Hospital for specialized treatment. Despite doctors’ efforts, he suffered an anoxic brain injury, a condition caused by the complete loss of oxygen to the brain. The infant was removed from life support on Oct. 24, 2025, and later died.
Investigation Revealed Heavy Alcohol Consumption
According to prosecutors, investigators determined that Helus began drinking alcohol as early as 4 a.m. on the day of the incident.
Authorities said she later drove two children to school despite having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.29%, well above California’s legal limit for driving.
Investigators also found that she had more than $100 worth of alcoholic beverages delivered to her home while continuing to supervise the children.
Baby Taken to Unauthorized Trailer
Prosecutors said that around 11:30 a.m., Helus took Christian into a travel trailer located on her property.
The trailer was reportedly not an approved part of the licensed daycare facility.
While inside the trailer with the infant, Helus allegedly continued drinking alcohol. Authorities said that a few hours later, Christian experienced a medical emergency, but Helus was allegedly too intoxicated to recognize that the baby had stopped breathing.
Family Speaks During Sentencing
During Monday’s sentencing hearing, Christian’s family described the lasting impact of the infant’s death.
His mother, Christina Olvera, told the court that her other children still ask about their baby brother. She also said that Christian’s clothes remain packed away in a box that the family will never have the chance to use again.
Addressing Helus directly, Olvera said she would never forgive her and blamed her decisions for taking her son away forever.
Judge Imposes Prison Sentence and Childcare Ban
The court sentenced Helus to six years in California state prison.
In addition to the prison sentence, the judge ordered her to pay:
- $12,818 to the Victims Compensation Board.
- $3,327.22 in restitution to the families of the other children who were in her care that day.
The judge also permanently prohibited Helus from operating a daycare or working in any childcare-related position in the future.
The case concludes with prosecutors emphasizing that Helus admitted violating the trust placed in her as a childcare provider, resulting in the tragic death of 5-month-old Christian Olvera while he was under her supervision.
