Investigating the deaths

Following Reyes’ May 17 arrest in Phoenix, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office released a statement giving some insight on the death investigations.

Reyes also was wanted on a felony child-abuse warrant out of California, court records say.

The combined complexity of the case and depth of medical examinations needed to connect the deaths to lack of care resulted in the Glendale police collaborating with the County Attorney Office’s cold-case unit beginning in April 2016, officials said.

“This arrest stems from the dedication of our cold-case investigation team in cooperation with our law-enforcement partners. Thanks to their hard work, we are now able to take the next step in securing justice for the tragic loss of two lives,” said Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery.

National data shows that people with disabilities are more likely to be victims of violent crime than people without disabilities, including at the hands of their caregivers. Roughly once a week, a family member or caregiver kills a person with a disability in North America, according to the Ruderman Family Foundation, which advocates for people with disabilities.

Though the three years of investigations were frustrating, Paula Charlebois said she was immensely thankful detectives continued to follow the case.

“If even for a day (Reyes) has had to sit in jail and think about my daughter and that baby, it’ll be a good day,” Paula said. “Maybe he’s going to be held accountable. It’s hard to know he’s living and loving life and they don’t get to do that.”