Santa Clara County prosecutors have charged a mother and stepfather with felony child neglect following the death of their 8-year-old daughter, who suffered a fatal asthma attack while living in a severely unsanitary home. The charges were announced this week after an investigation determined the conditions in the San Jose residence posed significant health risks to the children.
Prosecutors allege neglect led to fatal asthma attack
Gabrielle Hanson, 32, and Jacob Randolph, 39, were arraigned Tuesday in Santa Clara County Superior Court on felony child neglect charges. Prosecutors stated that their daughter, identified as Aurora Williams, experienced a severe asthma attack on May 13 but that her parents waited eight hours before seeking medical help. Aurora was transported to a hospital and died four days later. The Santa Clara County Office of the Medical Examiner-Coroner classified her death as a homicide, citing a lack of oxygen to the brain due to severe asthma with acute lung injury.
Home conditions described as hazardous by authorities
Investigators reported that the East San Jose home on Lancelot Lane contained cockroaches, pet feces, garbage, and mold. Prosecutors stated that medical professionals and social workers had repeatedly warned the couple about the dangerous conditions and the risks to their seven children, ages 2 months to 17 years. In February 2025, Aurora was taken to an emergency room by a relative after exhibiting asthma symptoms, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Hospital staff noted that a cockroach fell from her shoe and another was seen crawling on her. Aurora reportedly told staff, “Oh yeah, bugs just crawl on me,” and smelled of cat urine. She appeared underweight, pale, and hungry.
Children removed from home after hospitalization
Following Aurora’s hospitalization, county social workers took all seven children into protective custody. The Santa Clara County Department of Family and Children’s Services had prior involvement with the family, according to prosecutors. The children remain in custody as the case proceeds. Neither Hanson nor Randolph entered a plea during their arraignment.
Legal and social service responses under scrutiny
The case has raised questions about the effectiveness of prior interventions by medical professionals, school officials, and social services. Prosecutors emphasized that warnings about the hazardous living conditions and medical risks were repeatedly issued to the parents. The district attorney’s office stated that medical neglect was “a significant factor” in Aurora’s death. The timeline of the case spans over a year, from Aurora’s initial emergency room visit in February 2025 to her death in May 2026.