In a tragic incident that has left the community reeling, a two-year-old boy named Ryland Macdonald died after being in the care of his mother’s boyfriend, Gustavo Enrique Pereza, in Rogers, Arkansas. The events leading to Ryland’s death unfolded on August 24, 2021, when he was rushed to Mercy Hospital, unresponsive and with no pulse.
According to reports, Ryland’s mother, Briana Sawyer, had been dealing with her son’s persistent stomach problems for nearly a month prior to the tragedy. On August 23, while Briana worked at Casey’s Pizza, Gus was tasked with babysitting Ryland. Hours later, Gus arrived at Briana’s workplace, claiming that Ryland had fallen at a park and subsequently began vomiting. In a turn of events, Gus took over Briana’s shift, allowing her to quickly drive Ryland to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Witnesses at the hospital described Ryland as “totally blue,” exhibiting signs of agonal respiration. Medical staff pointed to multiple bruises on Ryland’s arms, legs, and torso, raising immediate suspicions regarding the circumstances of his injuries. Briana admitted to administering an adult dose of Dramamine earlier that day, ostensibly to help with Ryland’s car sickness, but could not explain the bruises on his body.
Gus recounted that Ryland appeared weak before the incident and claimed that the child had fallen at the park. However, upon further investigation, an autopsy revealed that Ryland’s cause of death was consistent with blunt force trauma to the abdomen, leading to severe internal injuries. The coroner’s report indicated that the injuries likely resulted from an intentional act, such as a kick or punch, within days leading up to his death.
As authorities delved deeper into the investigation, they noted inconsistencies in Gus’s account, particularly regarding the timeline of events that day. Several hours went unaccounted for while Ryland was with Gus, raising questions about what truly transpired during that time. On August 26, Briana was brought in for questioning, where her demeanor and reactions prompted further scrutiny. Despite her insistence that Gus would never harm Ryland, detectives noted her attempts to defend him throughout the interview.
The investigation also revealed troubling patterns in Ryland’s care. Briana’s parents had expressed concerns about bruising and injuries sustained by their grandson while in Gus’s care in the weeks leading up to his death. Eyewitness accounts and text messages exchanged between Briana and Gus indicated a troubling history of injuries during his supervision, yet Briana continued to downplay the severity of the situation.
Following extensive questioning and examination of phone records and search histories, Gus Pereza was arrested for capital murder. In December 2024, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison, with the possibility of parole after 20 years. Briana Sawyer, however, received a much lighter sentence of six years probation for her role in permitting abuse and neglect.
This heartbreaking case has ignited discussions about child welfare and domestic violence, as Ryland’s tragic death highlights the risks children face when their caregivers fail to protect them. The community mourns the loss of a young life, and many question how such abuses can go unnoticed until it is too late. As Ryland’s story resonates, it serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and accountability in protecting the most vulnerable among us.
