A Florida mother, Patricia Saintizaire, is facing charges in the death of her 4-year-old son whom she adopted from Haiti in 2023. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has charged her with first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, and tampering with a witness. The child, Bryan Boyer, died from assault/blunt force trauma, which the medical examiner ruled as a homicide. The autopsy revealed old and new scarring on the child’s back, a deep laceration on his liver, and bruising and hemorrhaging on his arms and legs, consistent with ongoing abuse.
Saintizaire’s 16-year-old son, who was also adopted from Haiti, is now in protective custody. He initially denied any abuse but later admitted that his adoptive mother threatened him and told him not to speak about the abuse he witnessed. The teenager revealed that he and his brother were physically disciplined with a belt and a homemade hitting device. The investigation found surveillance video footage of Saintizaire hitting the 4-year-old with an unknown object and throwing him into a pool with his hands tied behind his back. Despite the abuse suffered, the child was described as a happy child by those who interacted with him.
The child was taken to the hospital after becoming unresponsive on May 2. The teenager reported that the boy was behaving normally when he got home from school, but later became unable to walk on his own and struggled to sit up after Saintizaire told him to feed him, claiming he was “faking it.” Saintizaire’s husband stated that he does not handle discipline with the children and denied using physical discipline as punishment. Detectives found evidence of ongoing abuse on Saintizaire’s phone, including videos of her hitting the child.
Sheriff Grady Judd expressed outrage at the abuse suffered by Bryan Boyer, insisting that their top priority is to protect children from predators and abusers. The investigation revealed the horrific abuse and neglect the child endured, leading to his death at the hands of his adoptive mother. The teenager adopted from Haiti provided crucial information about the abuse he witnessed in the household, providing investigators with valuable evidence against Saintizaire. The case highlights the importance of vigilance in protecting children from harm and holding abusers accountable for their actions.
The tragic death of Bryan Boyer has prompted calls for increased awareness and action to prevent child abuse and neglect. The spike in reports of child abuse and neglect in multiple states underscores the need for vigilance in identifying and reporting cases of abuse. Law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to protect children from predators and abusers, ensuring that those responsible for harming children are held accountable for their actions. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children from harm and the devastating consequences of failing to intervene in cases of abuse and neglect. As the investigation continues, authorities are committed to seeking justice for Bryan Boyer and ensuring that those responsible for his death are held accountable for their actions.
