By Sam Stanton
sstanton@sacbee.com
Sheila Caceres, the 31-year-old day care operator accused of felony child neglect in the death of a 2-month-old baby, made her first court appearance this morning but did not enter a plea and left the courthouse without speaking to reporters or the mother of the deceased child.
Caceres, a one-time Sacramento County day care operator of the year, is charged in the February death of Avin Rominger, who authorities say was left alone in the upstairs of her day care home in the Mather area.
Sacramento sheriff's officials believe Caceres found Avin limp and cold but panicked and left him upstairs until Avin's father, Dave Rominger, arrived to pick him up. She then pretended to find Avin unconscious for the first time and ran downstairs telling Rominger to call 911, authorities have said.
Dave Rominger, a California National Guardsman, was on military duty today and could not make it to court, but Avin's mother, Rachelle, appeared in court and said later that Caceres "has shown no remorse toward our family" and that "we expected nothing less today."
Caceres has been charged with felony child endangerment and a misdemeanor violation for allegedly placing children in the upstairs area in violation of state regulations.
She did not enter a plea today and her attorney, Joe Welch, ignored a question from a reporter about what plea she intends to enter.
Caceres has previously agreed to a lifetime ban on running, being present in or working at a day care center.
Her next court date is Dec. 9.
Photo caption: Sheila Caceres, left, appears at her initial court hearing with attorney Joe Welch in Sacramento County Superior Court Friday morning. Photo by Paul Kitagaki, Jr.
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