Suffer the Little Children, Episode 206:

"Marion Jester-Montoya, Retold (Part 2)"

Release Date: December 17, 2025
Host: Lane
Guests: Marion’s father (Emilio), Grandmother (Sheila), Aunt (Carla), and Lyric

Episode Overview

This emotional episode continues the story of Marion Jester-Montoya, focusing on her family's experience before and after her tragic death at 10 months old due to abuse and neglect. Host Lane speaks with Marion’s father, grandmother, and aunt, who candidly recount their memories of Marian, the warning signs they repeatedly raised with authorities, and the aftermath of her loss. The episode seeks to clarify the facts of Marion's story from the family's perspective and to honor her memory.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Getting to Know Veronica (Marion’s Mother)

• Carla’s Early Impressions:
  • Shared unsettling first interactions with Veronica, including how she laughed at intentionally making her newborn cry ([04:07]).
  • “I don’t find that funny...then you shouldn’t have became a mom.” — Carla ([05:47])
• Parental Responsibility:
  • Veronica complained about Marian waking at 4 am instead of sleeping till noon.

Early Red Flags and Neglect

• Reluctance to Parent:
  • Marian often left with Emilio’s family; Veronica frequently avoided caring for her own daughter ([06:30]).
• Meth Incident:
  • Marion was found to have meth in her system after a weekend with Veronica and Trevor ([08:11]).
  • CPS investigated, but the source was never identified; after 90 days, Marian was returned to Veronica.
  • Emilio warned CPS:
    • “I told them if anything happens to that little girl...it's going to be their fault.” — Emilio ([13:17])

Ongoing Abuse and Warnings Ignored

• Repeated Neglect & Physical Signs:
  • Marian frequently returned from visits with bruises, untreated rashes, or having not been changed or fed properly ([26:27], [29:21]).
  • Emotional responses:
    • “She comes back with a rash...No, she doesn't, because we have her all the time.” — Sheila ([27:17])
• CPS Dismissal:
  • Reports dismissed as “custody issues” despite consistent and specific complaints ([27:17])
  • “Any problems we brought up to CPS, they openly shared with Veronica and Trevor.” — Emilio ([27:17])

Trevor’s Increasing Involvement and the Backpack

• Signs of Fear:
  • Marian showed clear fear of Trevor by five months old ([23:54], [29:31]).
  • Family later realized Trevor was likely confining her in a backpack even before the fatal incident ([31:22]).

Benadryl & Sleep Medications

• Use of Medication to Sedate:
  • Veronica admitted to giving Marian Benadryl and melatonin “all the time,” against medical advice, to make her sleep ([34:54]).
  • “She was always giving her Benadryl...because it makes her sleep.” — Sheila ([35:18])
• Autopsy & Confusion:
  • No Benadryl found in Marion’s system at autopsy, but family explains the drug’s half-life would prevent detection ([36:04]).

The Day Marion Died ([18:30])

• The Emergency Call:
  • Veronica called during a Home Depot stop, reporting a “medical emergency.”
  • The police blocked access to the hospital; the family was told Marion had died ([21:36]).
  • Emilio’s heartbreak:
    • “I just called to tell you that my daughter’s dead...I told you...that this was going to happen.” — Emilio ([22:14])

Legal Aftermath / Fight for Justice

• Barriers to Accountability:
  • Difficulty finding legal representation:
    • “Every law firm...wouldn’t even...said, ‘We work very close with CPS, this isn’t a case we’re going to take.’” — Emilio ([22:23])
• Blaming the System:
  • “There’s nobody fighting for me and my rights with my daughter, but they’ll fight for Veronica's rights...” — Emilio ([23:12])
• CPS Shared Reports:
  • Information given to CPS would be relayed to Veronica and Trevor, sabotaging the family’s efforts ([27:23])

Public Perception and Narrative

• False Accusations & Media:
  • Online speculation blamed Emilio for “forgiving” Trevor, distorting his actual words ([42:22]).
  • “It’s my job to forgive and God’s job to judge.” — Emilio, clarifying victim impact statement ([43:20])
  • Emilio refuted false reports that he visited Trevor in jail ([43:29]).

Who Was Marian? ([51:24])

• Reflecting on Her Life:
  • Family shares cherished memories:
    • “She was a sweet girl...when I’d get home from work, she would crawl as fast as she could...” — Emilio ([51:24])
    • “Honestly, one of the best babies ever. She hardly ever cried.” — Carla ([52:00])
• Remembering Marian:
  • Photos displayed, Marian’s ashes kept in a special urn, her toys cherished by other children ([52:13]).
  • “We have a wall done for her with a little shelf. We used to have all of her little toys...” — Sheila ([52:27])
• Impact on Siblings:
  • Other young family members struggle with their grief and anger ([53:04]).

The Sentencing, Aftermath, and Ongoing Pain ([56:56])

• Justice Served for Trevor:
  • Family chose life in prison without parole over the death penalty, which was granted ([57:16]).
  • “It was the respect we finally got...for the funeral, we didn’t get any options. It was all Veronica’s options.” — Sheila ([58:35])
• Veronica’s Behavior:
  • At sentencing, Veronica focused on herself and not Marian:
    • “Everything was about Veronica...nothing about Marian. It was all about her and how he did this to her.” — Sheila ([46:29])
    • Veronica left Marian’s funeral early to visit Trevor in jail ([47:16]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I did not get good mom vibes from her at all.” — Carla ([06:04])
• “She was always happy.” — Sheila ([52:07])
• “She didn’t say anything at the sentencing about how she was hurt because her daughter wasn’t there anymore. You know, it was all about her.” — Sheila ([47:12])
• “We don’t get to see her start school...you took everything from us.” — Sheila ([55:00])
• “If anybody out there...is listening to this, we’re always open to talk about the story...I want to find something to do [for the community]. I just don’t know how to do it.” — Emilio ([59:48])

Important Timestamps

• [03:14] — Family introductions and early impressions of Veronica
• [05:47] — Confronting Veronica’s parenting
• [08:11] — Marion found with meth in her system
• [13:17] — Emilio warns CPS of a possible tragedy
• [18:30] — The day of Marion’s death and the aftermath
• [23:12] — Frustration with the legal system and lack of support
• [26:27] — Accounts of Marian's repeated abuse and neglect
• [29:31] — Discovery of neglectful home environment and backpack detail
• [34:54] — Discussion of use of Benadryl and melatonin
• [36:04] — Family’s knowledge of autopsy and drug half-life
• [41:07] — Carla’s distrust of Veronica
• [43:29] — Addressing false rumors and clarifying the family’s position
• [51:24] — Family memories of Marian and her personality
• [55:00] — The family grieves lost milestones
• [57:15] — Sentencing: Life without parole
• [58:35] — Reflections on respect and final goodbyes

The Episode’s Tone & Closing Thoughts

The conversation is raw, personal, and laced with frustration, heartbreak, and lingering anger at both the perpetrators and the systems that failed Marion. The family’s goal is to have the truth shared, to clear up misconceptions, and to honor Marian as more than a victim — as a beloved, joyful little girl.

The episode closes with Emilio expressing a desire to help others avoid similar tragedies, highlighting the family’s openness and resilience. Host Lane thanks the Montoya family for their trust and affirms her commitment to telling Marian’s story the right way.

For Listeners:

If you or someone you know is in a similar situation, resources for reporting or preventing child abuse are mentioned at childhelp.org.