MINNEAPOLIS, MN – A Minnesota man received a prison sentence of over six years for aiding a mother in concealing the death of her infant son, rather than dissuading her from harm. Edwin Cosmo Trudeau, 20, was handed a 74-month sentence after being found guilty of being an accomplice in the aftermath of the tragic incident. This ruling follows the March sentencing of the boy’s mother, Esperanza Rae Harding, 21, who was given a 32-year sentence for intentional murder.
In a string of concerning texts to Trudeau from a hotel in late February, Harding expressed frustration with her son Mateo’s crying, which disrupted her bath. Desperate and overwhelmed, she indicated a dangerous intent, to which Trudeau offered neither caution nor concern, but instead encouragement.
After Harding revealed that 7-month-old Mateo was dead and expressed remorse, Trudeau’s response was chillingly dismissive. His communications continued in a similar vein, likening their situation to infamous criminal duo Bonnie and Clyde, and reinforcing a troubling loyalty despite the crime.
Reportedly, Trudeau harbored distaste for the baby, urging Harding to prioritize their relationship over her son. When Trudeau arrived at the hotel and found Mateo lifeless, he ineffectively attempted CPR. Rather than contacting emergency services, he engaged in intimate relations with Harding and then left, instructing her in the art of concealing the crime.
Prosecutors detailed how, within the confines of the hotel, Trudeau allegedly advised Harding to dispose of Mateo’s body in a dumpster, making it appear as though she was merely disposing of trash. Authorities emphasize this strategic concealment rather than any compulsion toward accountability or aid.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty condemned Trudeau’s actions, pointing out the profound loss turned to agony and condemning the continuation of pain for Mateo’s family.
She affirmed justice for the deliberate concealment of such a violent act and drew attention to the tragic loss of a life that should have been celebrating a second birthday soon.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the dire consequences when those around us choose silence and complicity in the face of threatened harm. The community continues to grapple with the senseless loss and the grievous breach of trust exhibited in this case.