IL - Steven Griffin indicted for murder of 16 yr old stepson, Daniel Garza in Springfield 20 February 2025

[tlcya]

I am just sickened. this is my dang town. Horrible. I am waiting for the mother to be charged because at the very least she knew and allowed the beating starving, torture and murder of her son.
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On Jan. 27, 2025, Garza was taken to the emergency room by his mother and stepfather. When he arrived at the ER, he was unresponsive, not breathing, his body temperature was 86 degrees, and he weighed 94 pounds. He had a subdural hemorrhage in his head and burns to his face, neck, and chest. He had bruises over most of his body and fractures to his scapula and ankle. He was transferred to St Louis Children's Hospital and then later to Indianapolis for specialized care. That is where he died on Feb. 7.
Stepfather indicted on murder and other charges in torture of 16-year-old

All of these events occurred in Sangamon County. Defendant Steven Griffin, the victim Daniel Garza, and the wife of Griffin, Kristin Griffin, who is the biological mother to Daniel, moved to Springfield from the state of Washington in November 2024. During their time in Springfield, the family had been living out of hotels.
Stepfather indicted on murder and other charges in torture of 16-year-old

The indictment details a harrowing account of abuse, including allegations that Griffin intentionally inflicted torture on Garza, causing extreme physical pain. Griffin is accused of throwing hot water on Garza, resulting in severe burns to his face, neck, and chest. Additionally, Griffin faces charges of aggravated domestic battery for allegedly striking Garza with nunchucks and stomping on his ankle, causing a fracture.
Stepfather indicted on murder and other chargers in torture of 16-year-old

He also faces charges for aggravated criminal sexual abuse, indecent solicitation of a child, grooming, sexual exploitation of a child and distributing harmful material in relation to a 16-year-old girl in Springfield.

This guy has been here a matter of months and has abused a minor female and murdered a minor male. Jesus wept.

 

[tlcya]

Kristen P Griffin Mugshot
her charges:
Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse (Offender 5+ Years Older, Victim Aged 13-16, No Penetration)
Criminal Abuse/Neglect of Elderly/Disabled (Caregiver)

no idea if these charges relate to the abuse of her son or if they are related to the other case against her husband involving a 16 year old girl.

Steven made his first appearance in both cases today. He is still in custody at the Sangamon County Jail and is expected back in court on March 24.

 

[tlcya]

STEVEN W GRIFFIN'S CASE NO.S
2025-CF-00202 MURDER OF DANIEL GARZA AGED 16
COUNT I - FIRST DEGREE MURDERCOUNT II - FIRST DEGREE MURDERCOUNT III - FIRST DEGREE MURDERCOUNT IV - AGGRAVATED BATTERYCOUNT V - AGGRAVATED DOMESTIC BATTERYCOUNT VI - ENDANGERING THE LIFE OR HEALTH OF A CHILDCOUNT VII - ENDANGERING THE LIFE OR HEALTH OF A CHILDCOUNT VIII - ABUSE OR CRIMINAL NEGLECT OF A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY

2025-CF-00203 CRIMINAL SEXUAL ABUSE VICTIM AGED 16
COUNT I - AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL SEXUAL ABUSECOUNT II - INDECENT SOLICITATION OF A CHILDCOUNT III - GROOMINGCOUNT IV - SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A CHILDCOUNT V - DISTRIBUTING HARMFUL MATERIAL

KRISTIN GRIFFIN CASE NO.S
2025-CF-00236 NEGELCT/ENDANGERMENT OF DANIEL GARZA
COUNT I - ENDANGERING THE LIFE OR HEALTH OF A CHILDCOUNT II - ABUSE OR CRIMINAL NEGLECT OF A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY

2025-CF-00254 ?
COUNT I - AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL SEXUAL ABUSECOUNT II - AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL SEXUAL ABUSECOUNT III - SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A CHILD
Sangamon County Circuit Clerk Records Lookup

 

[imstilla.grandma]

The family, including Garza's biological mother, Kristin Griffin, moved to Springfield from Washington in November 2024 and had been living in hotels. On January 27, 2025, Garza was taken to St. John's Hospital by his mother and stepfather. Upon arrival, he was unresponsive, not breathing, and had a body temperature of 86 degrees. Weighing only 94 pounds, Garza suffered from a subdural hemorrhage, burns, bruising, and fractures. He was transferred to St. Louis Children's Hospital and later to Indianapolis for specialized care, where he died on February 7, 2025.

In addition to the murder charges, Griffin is charged with endangering the life or health of a child and abuse or criminal neglect of a person with a disability. He also faces separate charges in an unrelated case involving a 16-year-old female from Springfield, including aggravated criminal sexual abuse and indecent solicitation of a child

Stepfather indicted on murder and other charges in torture of 16-year-old

Steven Griffin has been indicted on eight counts, including first-degree murder, in connection with the prolonged abuse and subsequent death of his 16-year-old

komonews.com

 

[Trinitee]

Those poor kids.

 

[tlcya]

my understanding from people who actually know this man is that he grew up down the road a piece in the tiny little town of Pawnee IL. It is beginning to sound like, from the charges, that Daniel was disabled in some way

If so it is ten times worse what was done to him. I don't understand how someone can be tortured over a long period, while in a hotel room?? Did no one hear? Did Daniel not scream out in pain? This is just super upsetting, how very close this case is. I feel like this town failed that kid, how did nobody know?