Sacramento County couple whose child died in day care look to upcoming trial for justice

The last time Sheila Caceres appeared in Sacramento Superior Court, a former friend and client confronted her in the marble hallway – mother-to-mother.

"Baby killer!" the woman shrieked, cradling a newborn as Caceres' black high heels clicked rapidly toward the nearest exit.

It has been a long journey for Sacramento's one-time "family child care provider of the year," whose fancy day care home became the toast of the suburbs until her arrest in October.

Caceres, 32, returns to court Wednesday to face criminal charges in the February 2011 death of 2-month-old Avin Rominger.

The burst of courthouse drama with Avin's mother last month offered a glimpse into the fractured worlds of families, friends, former clients and neighbors, who are splitting up and taking sides over the tragedy.

The baby's mysterious death also has challenged law enforcement officials, who cannot say exactly how the boy died. But they contend Caceres initially lied about what happened and failed to give the baby prompt medical attention, and they want to see her punished.

The complex criminal case resumes Wednesday after Caceres recently rejected a plea agreement. She faces a preliminary hearing into whether there is enough evidence to try her in Avin's death.

Caceres has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of child endangerment and misdemeanor violation of fire safety regulations. If convicted, the woman who once advertised her "safe, loving environment for children" faces up to 6½ years in prison.

Caceres has declined Bee requests for an interview. Her attorney, Joe Welch, said commenting at length would be "inappropriate" before the hearing.

However, Welch did say: "My client did everything to help the child and nothing to hurt him."

Outside the courtroom, the child's death has altered the lives of the Caceres family and especially of Avin's parents, Rachelle and Dave Rominger, and their 6-year-old daughter, Savannah. In January, Rachelle gave birth to a daughter, Axtin.

"Every single day is harder than the last," said Rachelle Rominger, whose courthouse confrontations with Caceres last month drew notice from the bailiff and a security detail. "I'm grateful for the family I have, but it's an indescribable loss.

"It's just an endless circle of misery she's inflicted on our family for years to come."

Newfound isolation

For the Romingers, the sanctity of home changed overnight in their tidy Mather neighborhood south of Highway 50, brimming with young families and children. The couple say they have been ostracized by some residents and by other former day care parents who have stood by Caceres.

The Romingers say their daughter, Savannah, who attended Caceres' popular "Sheila's Garden Daycare" for nearly four years, found herself off the invite list to birthday parties and play dates with former pals.

Rachelle Rominger said two parents at the day care center sent her text messages after her son's death, berating her for ruining things over an "unfortunate tragedy" and urging her to "get on with life."

The couple now refuse to allow either of their children to be placed in child care, staggering work schedules so one of them can be home. Rachelle Rominger, 35, is a 911 dispatcher for the California Highway Patrol. Dave Rominger, 34, works at Mather for the National Guard.

"We will never use day care, ever," said Rachelle Rominger.

Caceres was forced last year to close her day care business, which had been honored in 2008 by the Sacramento Child Care Coalition. Rachelle Rominger had frequently volunteered there, attracted by the stimulating activities and colorful educational toys inside the 2,800-square-foot home.