Stiff Penalty Pending For Parents In Fatal Child Abuse Case

From the Office of the District Attorney:

Couple Faces 25 Years to Life in Child Abuse Case That Caused Death of an Infant

Martinez, California – Yesterday, after four days of deliberation, a jury in Contra Costa County returned guilty verdicts against the parents who abused their infant son – which caused his death.

Rayray Andrederral Darn, 38, and 31-year-old Marilyn Northington were charged with Murder [PC187(a)], assault on a child causing death [PC273ab(a)], child abuse [PC273a(a)], with a special allegation of willful harm or injury resulting in death [PC12022.95].

On February 4th, 2021, the couple’s actions led to the death of their 5-week-old son while they were residing at a hotel in Richmond. A hotel employee called Richmond police after witnessing Darn and Northington running out of their room with a baby reportedly not breathing. Officers responded to a local hospital after confirming there was an infant in the emergency room who was not breathing. During an investigation – and later after an autopsy by the Coroner’s Office – it was determined the infant died from injuries inflicted by his parents. The injuries to the baby included a broken femur, burn marks on his face and other parts of his body, fractured ribs, a skull fracture, and bleeding inside his skull. Additionally, the child suffered from severe malnutrition, and dehydration – as well as testing positive for methamphetamine.

On October 9th, 2023, a jury found the couple guilty of involuntary manslaughter [PC192(b)], assault on a child under 8-years-old causing death, and child abuse with the special allegation of willful harm or injury resulting in death.

The penalty Darn and Northington face is 25 years to life. Both defendants will be sentenced on December 15th at 8:30 a.m. by Judge Terri Mockler.