Geanna Bradley: Legal guardians charged after 10-year-old girl dies from 'prolonged abuse' and starvation
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HONOLULU, HAWAII: Hawaii witnessed a heart-wrenching case unfold as legal guardians Brandy Blas, 35, and her husband, Thomas Blas, 40, were arrested and charged with murder almost a month after the suspicious death of 10-year-old Geanna Bradley.
Honolulu Police revealed the charges, including first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, second-degree murder, kidnapping, and unlawful imprisonment.
Geanna, who was under the legal care of the Blas couple, was found lifeless in her Wahiawa home on January 18, with authorities describing her death as a result of "prolonged abuse."
Debra D Geron, 67, residing in the same home and identified as Brandy's mother, was also arrested and charged with second-degree murder, kidnapping, and unlawful imprisonment, according to Honolulu Civil Beat.
Timeline of Geanna Bradley's death
During a press conference, Honolulu Police homicide Lt Deena Thoemmes detailed the events leading to Geanna's discovery. Responding to a call about a 10-year-old in need of a defibrillator, officers found Geanna "cold and stiff." Initially classified as an "unattended death," further examination revealed significant injuries and bruising over her body.
The three suspects, including Geron, informed officers that they last saw Geanna heading to her bedroom the night before her tragic discovery. Geron claimed she found her cold, without a heartbeat, and attempted CPR before calling 911.
Detectives expose severe injuries on Geanna Bradley
Detectives, responding to information about Geanna's "multiple facial injuries," uncovered disturbing details. Thoemmes revealed, “Her eyelids appeared slightly bruised and there were road rash type injuries to her chin. Part of her nose bridge was missing."
The suspects attributed Geanna's nose injury to a bicycle accident two weeks prior, alleging she had ADHD and possible schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. While the duration of the alleged abuse remains unclear, Thoemmes disclosed that the Blases took Geanna in when she was 2 or 3 years old.
The investigation exposed a disturbing pattern of abuse. Detectives noted the physical condition of the Blases' adopted 4-year-old son, prompting the removal of the children from the home and initiating a child services investigation. Geanna's appearance suggested signs of medical neglect, physical abuse, and fatal starvation.
Digital forensics uncovered chilling evidence on the Blases' phones, including images of a child believed to be Geanna "enclosed in a small area and bound" with tape. Thoemmes described duct tape wrapped around the child's eyes, forehead, and head. Multiple videos depicted violent interactions between Geanna and her guardians up until two days before her death.
The investigation identified multiple causes of Geanna's death, encompassing starvation, blunt force injury due to assault, and pneumonia.
