In a tragic case that has shocked the community of Rogers, Arkansas, two-year-old Ryland Macdonald was pronounced dead after an alarming series of events involving his mother and her boyfriend. The boy was brought to Mercy Medical Center on August 24, 2021, where he was unresponsive and lacking a pulse. Medical personnel reported signs of severe trauma, prompting a call to law enforcement to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
Ryland’s mother, Briana Sawyer, recounted that her son had been suffering from stomach issues for nearly a month. On the day of his death, she left him in the care of her boyfriend, Gustavo Enrique Pereza, also known as Gus, while she worked her shift at Casey’s Pizza. Hours later, Gus allegedly informed Briana that Ryland had fallen at a park and was vomiting. Concerned, she rushed her son to the hospital, but unfortunately, he was declared dead shortly after arrival.
Upon examination, medical professionals noted multiple bruises on Ryland’s body, indicating potential physical abuse. An autopsy revealed that he had died from blunt force trauma to the stomach, which caused severe internal injuries. The injuries were believed to have occurred within a week prior to his death, and the nature of the trauma suggested that it was inflicted intentionally.
Briana admitted to giving Ryland an adult dose of Dramamine earlier that day to help with his nausea, but she expressed confusion over the bruises found on her son. Gus, during police questioning, claimed that Ryland had shown weakness and had vomited during their time together, asserting that he had taken care of him to the best of his ability.
As the investigation unfolded, detectives uncovered troubling evidence. Text messages and search histories from Gus’s phone revealed he had searched for information related to injuries consistent with Ryland’s condition prior to his death. Furthermore, both Briana and Gus were found to have deleted crucial communications, raising suspicions about their involvement in the child’s demise.
The investigation soon turned its focus to the couple’s history of neglect and potential abuse. Witnesses, including Ryland’s grandparents, had voiced concerns about the child’s safety while in the care of Gus, noting visible bruises and injuries on multiple occasions. Despite these warnings, Briana continued to defend Gus, even suggesting that her father posed a risk to Ryland.
Eventually, both Gus and Briana were arrested. Gus faced charges of capital murder and was later sentenced to 30 years in prison, while Briana was convicted of permitting abuse and received six years of probation. The case has sparked outrage within the community, highlighting failings in child protection and raising questions about the legal system’s handling of domestic violence and child endangerment cases.
As the community mourns the loss of Ryland Macdonald, many are left grappling with the painful lessons this tragedy has exposed about the responsibilities of caregivers and the need for vigilance in protecting the most vulnerable members of society.
