The mother of a young boy who died after being beaten at a Cranston apartment complex in 2009 has been sentenced to prison.
Trish Oliver, 33, of West Warwick, received a 20-year sentence with eight years and nine months to serve, and the balance suspended with probation, during an appearance in Superior Court on Tuesday.
In May, Oliver pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter in connection with the October 2009 death of her 6-year-old son, Marco Nieves.
She was indicted in August 2015, a month after her former boyfriend, 34-year-old Michael Patino, was sentenced to life in prison following his conviction on a charge of second-degree murder.
According to authorities, Oliver became aware that her son required medical attention on the afternoon of Oct. 3, 2009, after Patino struck the boy hard enough to tear his intestine and inflicted other injuries.
Authorities say Oliver and Patino found the boy unresponsive and not breathing shortly after 6 a.m. on Oct. 4, 2009, and finally called for help. Emergency personnel responding to Oliver’s apartment at 575 Dyer Ave. found the boy in full cardiac arrest and rushed him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead 11 hours later.
“Trisha Oliver failed to seek medical treatment for her six-year-old son Marco for more than 15 hours, knowing he was in excruciating pain from blows delivered by her boyfriend, Michael Patino,” Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin said in a statement announcing the sentence. “It is unconscionable that Trisha Oliver watched her child be in severe distress, and be more concerned about the whereabouts of her marijuana than seeking medical assistance. It took until Marco stopped breathing for Oliver to call 911, and then lied about the severity of her son’s injuries to medical professionals, preventing him from receiving life-saving treatment. Trisha Oliver failed in her most basic duties as a mother by not providing Marco the aid he desperately needed, leading to the unnecessary and tragic death of an innocent six-year-old boy.”
Cranston Detectives John Cardone and Jean-Paul Slaughter led the investigation of Marco’s death. Assistant Attorney General Stephen A. Regine and Special Assistant Attorney General Peter Roklan prosecuted the case.
A Providence man has pleaded guilty to multiple charges in two separate cases, including one that involved a high-speed chase that moved through Johnston.
Jackial Smith, 20, entered the plea in Superior Court this week to counts of breaking and entering, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, carrying a firearm while committing a crime of violence, and carrying a firearm without a license. He was sentenced to 18 years, with eight to serve and the rest suspended with probation.
According to prosecutors, Smith and five co-defendants broke into a Scituate home on Oct. 5, 2015, and stole six pounds of marijuana before leading police on a high-speed pursuit through Johnston, Smithfield, and North Providence. The vehicle involved was involved in several collisions along the route before crashing into a stone wall, at which point the six suspects fled on foot.
Prosecutors say the vehicle’s operate was identified as the juvenile daughter of the owner of the Scituate home. Six pounds of marijuana were found in the vehicle, along with a 9 mm handgun Smith is said to have discarded. Smith and the other suspects were arrested and charged with various counts.
In April 2016, prosecutors say Providence police found Smith – who was out on bail – in possession of a Smith & Wesson .38 Special.
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