Man charged with killing 5-year-old who was discovered lifeless in a suitcase 9 years in the past

WORCESTER, Mass. — The person charged with homicide within the loss of life of 5-year-old Jeremiah Oliver, whose physique was present in a suitcase beside a Massachusetts freeway in 2014, pleaded not responsible at his arraignment on Thursday and was held with out bail.

Alberto Sierra Jr., 32, was the previous boyfriend of Jeremiah’s mom and was arrested on Wednesday, in line with the workplace of Worcester District Legal professional Joseph Early Jr.

An e-mail looking for remark was left with Sierra’s legal professional.

Jeremiah’s physique was present in April 2014 alongside Interstate 190 in Sterling, about an hour west of Boston. However the boy was final seen alive in September 2013, and was not reported lacking till December of that 12 months.

The case shocked the state, with even then-Gov. Deval Patrick saying he was making an attempt to “hold my very own rage in test.” The boy’s loss of life additionally led to 3 staff of the state’s youngster welfare company getting fired, and spurred reforms on the company.

Jeremiah’s household, which lived in Fitchburg on the time, was being supervised by the state Division of Youngsters and Households. Even earlier than his physique was found, an investigation discovered {that a} social employee with the kid welfare company went months with out visiting the household’s house — regardless of experiences of abuse and neglect.

The loss of life was not dominated a murder till February of 2016 when an post-mortem by the state medical expert mentioned that he died of “homicidal violence of undetermined” causes.

Sierra was convicted in 2017 of assaulting Jeremiah’s mom and siblings and sentenced to as much as seven years in jail. He was not presently incarcerated when he was arrested Wednesday, the district legal professional’s workplace mentioned.

Jeremiah’s mom, Elsa Oliver, additionally pleaded responsible in 2017 to assault and battery and reckless endangerment in connection together with her different two youngsters and was sentenced to greater than seven years in jail.

Prosecutors dropped fees towards each of them in reference to Jeremiah’s disappearance and alleged abuse with a purpose to keep away from potential double jeopardy claims, prosecutors mentioned on the time.

Sierra can also be charged with disinterring a physique. He’s scheduled again on court docket on Could 25. The investigation into the loss of life is ongoing, prosecutors mentioned.