TRUE CRIME Brain & Spinal Trauma - The Heartbreaking Death of October "Toby" Anne Perez

October Anne Perez's life story is one of heartbreak, resilience, and ultimately, hope. Born on January 10, 2009, to Christy Perez, October's early life was marked by turmoil and uncertainty. Although Christy was married to Freddy at the time, a DNA test would later reveal that a soldier named Michael Arnt was October's biological father. This revelation caused Christy and Freddy to split, leading to a series of events that would shape October's short, yet impactful life.

By the time October's paternity was revealed, Michael was deployed to Afghanistan. His mother, April Hall, took on the role of caregiver for October, affectionately calling her "Toby". The child’s home life with Christy, her boyfriend David Hyslop, and other family members was far from ideal. The small, overcrowded house in Great Falls, Montana, was plagued by drug use and neglect. Toby’s living conditions deteriorated rapidly, with each visit to her grandmother April revealing new injuries and signs of severe neglect.

As Toby approached her second birthday, April's concern for her granddaughter's well-being grew. Each visit meant a thorough cleaning and providing Toby with clean clothes. April meticulously documented the injuries she found, which often went unexplained by Christy. One of the most alarming incidents occurred when Toby arrived with cuts inside her mouth, a clear sign of physical abuse.

When Michael returned home for a brief leave in January 2011, he took steps to establish his paternity legally and sought custody of Toby. April reported the injuries and neglect to the Department of Family Services (DFS), but despite an initial positive response, the caseworker assigned, Rachel Zin, did not seem concerned enough to act decisively.

While living with her grandmother, Toby thrived. She enjoyed playing in the snow, climbing up and down snow drifts, and playing with her toys and April's golden retriever. But each return to her mother's home filled her with dread, as she was plunged back into an environment of neglect and abuse.

Despite April’s repeated reports to DFS and her efforts to advocate for her granddaughter, the system failed Toby. The house she lived in with Christy and David was filthy, and the basement where Toby slept was unsafe, with a broken bed frame, a ripped mattress, and unsanitary conditions.

In February 2011, after discovering Toby had a broken arm, April managed to get her temporarily placed in her custody, but DFS returned her to Christy, dismissing April’s concerns. The situation reached a tragic climax on June 23, 2011. Toby was found in critical condition and rushed to the hospital, suffering from severe trauma to her brain and spine. She passed away two days later, on June 25.

David Hyslop, who was in charge of Toby at the time of her injuries, was arrested and later convicted of her murder. During the trial, the extent of Toby’s suffering became evident, and David was sentenced to 100 years in prison without parole.

In the wake of Toby’s death, her grandmother April dedicated herself to preventing such tragedies from happening again. She founded Toby's House, an emergency nursery for families in crisis, providing a safe haven for children in dangerous situations. After nearly a decade of tireless work, Toby's House opened its doors, offering care and support to hundreds of children and families in need.

Toby’s House stands as a testament to Toby’s legacy, turning a story of sorrow into one of hope and community support. April’s relentless advocacy and the establishment of Toby’s House have provided a critical resource for families, ensuring that Toby's life, though brief, continues to make a significant impact.