DARLINGTON — On Sunday, Dec. 23, 2023, the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a potential Child Abuse case involving an infant,  that had occurred in the Village of Belmont. 

An investigation was initiated by the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). The Sheriff’s Office was also assisted in the investigation by the Belmont Police Department, Darlington Police Department and Dane County Sheriff’s Office. 

On Dec. 27, 2023, the Sheriff’s Office was notified that the infant had died at UW Children’s Hospital in Madison. The parents of the infant were taken into custody in the City of Madison with the assistance of the Madison Police Department, and DCI. 

Maria Guadulupe Atlahua-Aguas, 23, and Azariel Aguilar-Gonzalez, 24, both of Belmont, appeared in Lafayette County Circuit Court on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, for initial appearances on the charges of  First Degree Reckless Homicide and Physical Abuse of a Child, Repeated Acts  Causing Great Bodily Harm, both as a Party to a Crime.

The court ordered each to a $1 million bond with conditions they shall not leave the state; shall not provide any case to minor children; no contact with their co-defendant; no contact with Gavito Atlahua-Aguas; and GPS monitoring if they make bail. If arrangements are made with the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department, they may attend the child’s funeral service.

The next preliminary hearing is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. on Jan. 17.

As in any criminal proceeding, Atlahua-Aguas and Aguilar-Gonzalez are presumed innocent until proven guilty. 

Both parties remain in the custody of the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office. 

This remains an open and ongoing investigation at this time.