TRUE CRIME: Circus Performing Family's Son Starved and Fed Hair

A Life of Innocence and Joy

Eduardo Luis Posso was born on November 28, 2006, in the small city of Arcadia, Florida. From the moment he entered the world, Eduardo radiated a contagious smile, a testament to his sweet and loving nature. He embraced life with enthusiasm, enjoying a variety of activities. Whether he was playing video games, banging on his drum set, jumping on the trampoline, or enjoying time with horses, motorcycles, and dogs, Eduardo found joy in everything he did. Cooking scrambled eggs, fishing, and visiting the shoe store with his uncle were among his favorite pastimes.

Eduardo’s mother, Aurea Esmeralda Garcia, born in September 1983, had him as her first child. She welcomed Eduardo's younger sister, Roxana, in January 2010. At the age of 12, Eduardo was known for his kindness and warm hugs, traits that endeared him to everyone he met.

Family Dynamics and Custody Struggles

Luis Eduardo Posso Jr., Eduardo's father, was born on December 23, 1986. Luis and Aurea's marriage did not last long, and by November 2015, Luis began dating Dayana Medina Flores. Dayana, born in 1998, had a son from a previous marriage. Despite still being married to Aurea, Luis got engaged to Dayana and finalized his divorce in early 2016. By April of the same year, Luis and Dayana were married.

Following the divorce, Eduardo and Roxana lived with their parents equally. However, one fateful day, Luis picked the children up and never brought them back to their mother. Aurea, devastated by this sudden separation, promised Eduardo that she would fight to bring him home. Despite a lengthy custody battle, Luis gained full custody due to Aurea’s absence at a crucial hearing. Eduardo and Roxana moved in with their father, stepmother, stepbrother, and an infant half-sibling in Myakka City, Florida.

A Life of Hidden Torment

Dayana’s disdain for her stepchildren was palpable. She saw Eduardo and Roxana as burdens, referring to them as her number one problem and describing herself as a maid stuck with children that weren’t hers. Despite the outward appearance of a normal family, the reality inside their home was far different. Dayana’s texts to Luis revealed her frustration and mistreatment towards the children, especially Eduardo.

Eduardo and Roxana attended Myakka City Elementary School until the summer of 2018. At an after-school club, Jessica Nelson, a childcare provider, remembered Eduardo as a popular, helpful, and all-around great kid. However, their neighbor, Karen Graham, painted a different picture. She recalled Luis as a man who often screamed at his wife and kids, left trash lying around, and forced Eduardo to do chores he should have done himself. Karen’s heart broke for Eduardo, who she once saw eating from the trash he was picking up.

An Unseen Cry for Help

Despite numerous reports of child neglect to the authorities, no substantial evidence was found to protect Eduardo and Roxana. Investigators repeatedly closed the cases, believing the children were safe. Eduardo's autopsy, however, would later reveal the extent of the abuse he endured.

Luis and Dayana’s cruelty reached its peak when they moved the family to Indiana. Eduardo was chained in a motel bathtub, deprived of food, water, shocked with an electric dog collar, fed pet food, and subjected to other unimaginable physical and emotional abuse. His once vibrant life had turned into a nightmare of confinement, starvation, and torture.

The Final Days

In May 2019, the family checked into the Economy Inn in Bloomington, Indiana. For Eduardo, it was the last stop in his tragic journey. Shackled and emaciated, he spent his final days dreaming of freedom. On May 24, 2019, after a brutal beating, Eduardo became unresponsive. Luis rushed him to the hospital, but it was too late. Eduardo was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

A Community in Mourning

Eduardo’s death shocked and devastated those who knew and loved him. Aurea, believing she was about to regain custody, was instead told that her beloved son was gone. The pain and guilt overwhelmed her, as she felt she had failed to protect him.

The authorities faced public outrage for their inability to prevent Eduardo’s tragic end. His death highlighted the flaws in the system designed to protect children.

A vigil was held in Eduardo's memory, where attendees focused on his joyful life rather than his tragic demise. The pastor, Lyn Howell, emphasized that Eduardo’s story must bring awareness to the broken system and inspire change.

A Legacy of Awareness

Eduardo Luis Posso’s life, though tragically short, serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of vigilance and intervention in cases of child neglect and abuse. His story is a call to action for better protection and care for vulnerable children. As his mother, Aurea, continues to grieve, she hopes that no other child will endure what Eduardo did.

Eduardo’s legacy is one of awareness and the urgent need for systemic change to ensure that every child is safe, loved, and protected.