Foster mom accused of leaving child in hot car gained power of attorney in 2022

ALL RIGHT. LUKE, THANKS. WELL, WE’RE LEARNING MORE ABOUT HOW JUANITA PINON GAINED CUSTODY OF FIVE YEAR-OLD VENACIO PEREZ. HE’S THE LITTLE BOY WHO DIED AFTER BEING LEFT IN A HOT CAR FOR SEVERAL HOURS YESTERDAY. PINON IS NOW IN CUSTODY, CHARGED IN HIS DEATH, AND WE’RE LEARNING THAT SHE WAS A FRIEND OF HIS BIRTH FAMILY. KETV NEWSWATCH SEVEN’S JESSICA PEREZ JOINS US LIVE WITH THE DETAILS. ROB QUANECIA WE UNCOVERED DOCUMENTS IN JUVENILE COURT ABOUT THE CHILD IN 2022. HIS BIOLOGICAL MOTHER SIGNED OVER POWER OF ATTORNEY TO PINON. THIS AFTER LEARNING ABOUT INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR IN HER HOME. 5 P.M. WEDNESDAY. THIS STRIP MALL PARKING LOT OFF 93RD AND BINNEY BECAME A CRIME SCENE. OMAHA POLICE SAYS. FIVE YEAR-OLD DIONISIO PEREZ WAS LEFT IN THIS HOT SUV FOR SEVEN HOURS. HE DID NOT SURVIVE. FOSTER MOM JUANITA PINON WAS INSIDE A BEAUTY SALON, EMPLOYEES SAID SHE HAD AN OFFICE IN THE BACK. A WITNESS AT THE SALON SAYS PINON RUSHED OUTSIDE AND FOUND PEREZ UNRESPONSIVE. THE WITNESS PERFORMED CPR. PINON WAS ARRESTED FOR CHILD ABUSE BY NEGLECT. ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT HER FAMILY TODAY WENT UNANSWERED. COURT DOCUMENTS SHOW PINON AND HER HUSBAND TOOK IN PEREZ IN JULY 2022, WHEN HE WAS THREE YEARS OLD. PEREZ BIOLOGICAL MOTHER TOLD STATE WORKERS THERE WERE SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT ALL HER CHILDREN LIVING TOGETHER. SHE SIGNED OVER POWER OF ATTORNEY TO PINON, WHO WAS A FAMILY FRIEND. STATE WORKERS LATER FILED A MOTION IN COURT THAT SAID THE KIDS WERE, QUOTE, SERIOUSLY ENDANGERED. IN THEIR SURROUNDINGS AND REQUESTED IMMEDIATE REMOVAL NECESSARY FOR THEIR PROTECTION. SHORTLY AFTER, THE COURT PUT ALL OF THE CHILDREN IN DHS CUSTODY, KETV INVESTIGATES ALSO FOUND THAT IN 2016, PINON WAS CONVICTED OF FELONY THEFT BY DECEPTION FOR STEALING RENTAL PROPERTY PAYMENTS. DHHS SAYS IT RUNS BACKGROUND CHECKS ON ALL FOSTER PARENTS, BUT DID NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW OR IF PINON GOT A LICENSE TO FOSTER BEDIS AFTER HAVING A FELONY ON H