Manteca Daycare Owner Charged After Infant Death

On Oct. 22, first responders found an infant, identified as Christian Olvera and reported as about four months old, unresponsive at the in‑home Cherished Years Daycare in Manteca; after CPR and transfer to Oakland Children’s Hospital (UCSF Benioff), the child died on Oct. 24. Manteca police say daycare owner Roxanne Helus was found intoxicated at the scene, was arrested on suspicion of felony child endangerment, and faces expected additional charges including causing the death of a child under eight. Officers reported no signs of trauma on the infant and an autopsy is pending; California Community Care Licensing is assisting the investigation. Three other children and multiple adults were present at the daycare; the other children were checked and unharmed. State records show Helus previously had substantiated complaints, including operating an unlicensed daycare in 2023 and allowing other adults to care for children in 2024.