DAVENPORT, FL – A Polk County jury has convicted a Davenport woman of first-degree murder in the death of her 4-year-old adopted son, concluding a case that prosecutors said involved months of repeated abuse.
According to the Office of the State Attorney for the 10th Judicial Circuit, law enforcement was notified on May 2, 2024, after Orlando Health reported that 4-year-old Bryan Boyer had died while in the care of his adoptive mother, Patricia Saintizaire.
Investigators determined Bryan had appeared to be in good condition while at school on May 1, 2024. Later that evening, Saintizaire’s older son noticed the child struggling to sit upright while eating before he became unresponsive.
During the investigation, Saintizaire denied ever physically punishing the child. However, detectives said she instructed the victim’s older brother to lie to investigators. The boy later disclosed that he had witnessed Saintizaire physically abusing Bryan.
Authorities also recovered two home surveillance videos from Saintizaire’s cell phone. One video allegedly showed her throwing Bryan into a swimming pool with his hands tied behind his back. Another showed her striking him on the back with an object while he lay on the floor.
An autopsy found both old and recent scars on Bryan’s back, arms and legs, consistent with repeated physical abuse. The medical examiner determined he died from a deep laceration to his liver.
The jury found Saintizaire guilty of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated child abuse and tampering with a witness. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 14 and faces a mandatory life sentence. State Attorney Brian Haas thanked Assistant State Attorney Mikaela Perry and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for their work on the case.
SOURCE: The Office of the State Attorney for the 10th Judicial Circuit
