ICE Lodges Detainer Against Florida Resident Charged in Violent Death of 3 Year Old Nephew

ICE issues a detainer for Samuel Antonio Maldonado-Erazo, charged with the abuse and death of his 3-year-old nephew in Escambia County, Florida.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 11, 2026, 10:11 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Arrest and Allegations of Sustained Abuse

Samuel Antonio Maldonado Erazo was arrested by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office following the death of his three year old nephew. Medical reports from the hospital where the child was pronounced dead indicated a pattern of severe and intentional physical abuse. According to Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons, the child’s injuries were extensive, including 17 strikes to the head, broken ribs, a broken collarbone, intentional burns, and a transected pancreas caused by blunt force trauma. Reports suggest the suspect took the child to work with him while the toddler was in extreme physical distress before 911 was eventually called for cardiac arrest.

Immigration Status and Federal Detainer

ICE officials confirmed that Maldonado Erazo is a Honduran national who illegally entered the United States in August 2021. Following his arrest for manslaughter, Enforcement and Removal Operations encountered the suspect at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Jail on March 5. A formal immigration detainer has been lodged, requesting that local authorities notify federal agents before his release so that he may be taken into federal custody for removal proceedings. ICE Director Todd M. Lyons issued a statement emphasizing that the agency intends to pursue removal regardless of the outcome of the local criminal proceedings.

Family Background and Custody Status

The victim’s mother, Wendy Esther Hernandez Reyes, was removed from the U.S. on January 26, 2026. At the time of her deportation, she chose to leave her U.S. citizen son in the care of Maldonado Erazo. In the wake of the arrest, the suspect’s wife has also been taken into custody. Their three children—two of whom are U.S. citizens—have been placed in the care of the Florida Department of Child Services. Authorities noted that prior to this incident, Maldonado Erazo had no known criminal record in the United States beyond his illegal entry.