Elias Romero Held Without Bail After Murder Charge

By Carmen Russo

Update 12:45 PM: District court ordered Romero held without bail, which had previously been set at $250,000. His next court date is July 25.

Cranston – Colonel Michael Winquist, Chief of the Cranston Police Department, announces the arrest of Elias Romero, Sr. age 24, of 309 Station Street, Cranston, RI, after an investigation into the death of Mr. Romero’s three month old son.
On July 7, 2016 at approximately 12:08 pm, Cranston Patrol Officers were dispatched to 309 Station Street for a report of 3 month old baby not breathing. Upon arrival, the child was in the process of being treated by Cranston Fire Department Rescue Personnel who advised officers that the child was not breathing and would be transported to Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Detectives were notified and the Special Victims Unit, with the assistance of the Criminal Investigations Unit, launched an investigation. Doctors at Hasbro Children’s Hospital advised Detectives that the child regained a pulse, but was unable to breathe on his own. Medical personnel from Hasbro Children’s Hospital also advised detectives that the injuries sustained by the child were consistent with abuse, more specifically abusive head trauma (previously referred to as shaken baby syndrome).
Based on the investigation, it is alleged that Mr. Romero was home alone caring for the child and caused the injuries.
On July 7, 2016, Mr. Elias was arraigned by a Justice of the Peace at Cranston Police Headquarters on a charge of 1st degree child abuse. Bail was set at $250,000 with surety and he is currently being held at the Adult Correctional Institution. On July 9, 2016, the infant succumbed to his injuries. Due to the child’s death, Romero will be presented at Kent County District Court on July 11, 2016 where he will be arraigned on one count of Murder.
Colonel Winquist stated, “This is a tragic incident that weighs heavily on the hearts of not only the child’s family, but also the entire Cranston Police Department. I commend the detectives who handled this case, which was difficult on so many fronts. They are parents of young children themselves and maintained their professionalism, composure and empathy throughout the course of the investigation. I also want to thank the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office for their assistance.”