Charges Filed Against Parents Following Death of 8-Year-Old in San Jose

<p>An 8-year-old California girl died following a severe asthma attack after allegedly living for years in a home infested with cockroaches, mold, and pet feces. This has led to felony child neglect charges against her mother, Gabrielle Hanson, 32, and stepfather, Jacob Randolph, 39, according to the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office.</p><p>Prosecutors stated that the couple was aware of the hazardous conditions in their San Jose residence and had received multiple warnings from medical professionals and social workers regarding the risks posed to their seven children.</p><p>Despite these warnings, they reportedly waited eight hours before seeking medical assistance when their daughter, Aurora Williams, showed signs of serious medical distress in May.</p><p>In February 2025, more than a year prior to her death, Aurora was taken to an emergency room by a relative after displaying asthma symptoms, including wheezing and difficulty breathing. During her hospital visit, a bug fell from her shoe, and a cockroach was seen crawling on her, prompting her to remark, "Oh yeah, bugs just crawl on me." Hospital staff noted that Aurora had a strong odor of cat urine, appeared underweight and pale, and expressed that she was hungry and had not eaten.</p><p>On May 13, 2026, San Jose police and firefighters responded to a medical emergency involving a child at the family's home. Aurora was declared dead four days later, according to prosecutors.</p><p>The medical examiner determined that Aurora's death was caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain due to severe asthma and an acute lung injury related to a viral infection. Medical neglect was identified as a significant contributing factor, and her death was ruled a homicide.</p><p>Investigators found that Aurora and her siblings had been living in "squalid and dangerous conditions" since at least 2019. They also discovered that Aurora's asthma equipment had not been properly maintained, and her prescribed inhaler was missing during two searches of the home.</p><p>Additionally, investigators found a dirty inhaler spacer missing a rubber seal and a respiratory mask containing cockroaches.</p><p>District Attorney Jeff Rosen stated, "Another child is needlessly dead in this county, and once again our prosecutors will do everything in our legal power to hold the people who did this responsible. Prosecuting people after this kind of tragedy is necessary – and not enough. There are serious questions about how this child and her siblings lived in this dangerous squalor for so long. In the name of this lost child and the others, this community deserves honest answers and real changes."</p><p>The investigation also led to child sexual abuse charges against Aurora's maternal uncle, Jonathan Hanson, 44, involving another child in the home. He was charged with two counts of molestation and one count of possessing explicit videos of the alleged victim, who was between 11 and 15 years old at the time of the alleged offenses. Gabrielle Hanson was also charged with knowing about the alleged abuse and failing to intervene.</p><p>All three defendants were arraigned on Tuesday. Gabrielle Hanson and Randolph were released under supervised own recognizance despite prosecutors' objections, while Jonathan Hanson was ordered held without bail. Their next court appearance is scheduled for November 20 at the Hall of Justice in San Jose.</p>