Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty in 20-Month-Old’s Death

News 10 is reporting that Central Texas prosecutors are seeking the death penalty who was indicted on Thursday in the murder of a 20-month-old Rockdale girl.

Shawn Vincent Boniello, who identifies as Shayla Angeline Boniello, a transgender woman, received a capital murder indictment Wednesday morning.

This stems from the death of 20-month-old Patricia Ann Rader, who died at her home in Rockdale on Dec. 3.

“Upon receipt of the draft of an offense report…from the Rockdale Police Department…the Milam County District Attorney’s office will seek the penalty of death for the defendant,” said County/District Attorney Bill Torrey on Thursday.

KWTX said, "Boniello was arrested that night and was initially charged with child abandonment/endangerment, but on Dec. 4 was also named in a complaint charging capital murder."

Around 5:45 p.m. on the night of Rader's death, police and first responders arrived at her home following a call of an unresponsive child. First responders were unable to revive the young girl.