May 25, 2025 – Monterey County Sheriff's Office officials report that Detectives have arrested two persons who were 
operating an unlicensed day care service out of their residence in the community of Royal Oaks. They have been booked into the Monterey County Jail for involuntary manslaughter after the death of a three-month-old infant.
On May 24, 2025, shortly before 10:30 A.M., Monterey County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Fire and Emergency Services were dispatched to a medical emergency at a residence located on the 100 block of Hillcrest Road in the community of Royal Oaks. The reporting party stated the patient was a three-month-old infant that was not conscious and not breathing. Upon arrival of emergency services, life-saving efforts were initiated, and the infant was transported to a local hospital. Despite life-saving efforts, the infant was pronounced deceased.
Monterey County Sheriff’s deputies learned that the location in Royal Oaks was being operated as an unlicensed day care business that was taking in up to 30 children of various ages at a time. Detectives responded and assisted with the investigation and were able to gather sufficient details to arrest the two operators of the unlicensed day care business for involuntary manslaughter believed to have resulted in the death of the three-month-old infant.
62-year-old Maria Marquez and her daughter, 35-year-old Johanna Marquez, both of Royal Oaks, were arrested and booked into the Monterey County Jail. Each was booked for Involuntary Manslaughter, Felony Child Endangerment and Operating a Child Day Care Facility Without a License. Bail was set at $50,000.00 each.
This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact Detective Josué Ramirez of the Monterey County Sheriff's Office at 831-253-6068. The information can be provided anonymously. You can also submit a clue online by visiting the following link on our website: mcso.countyofmonterey.gov/anonymous-crime-tip.
To see the full press releases in Spanish, visit: mcso.countyofmonterey.gov/press-releases.
Source: Monterey County Sheriff's Office
