Uploaded January 2018 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Lapel Video of first Officers on the scene. The cam is pretty bad quality, but it shows the Officers talking to Casaus! You can see Omaree briefly on the bottom of the bed as Officers try to get a response. Immediately following this I've edited it to play in slow motion, so fast forward if you don't want to see it......
In June of 2013, 9 yr. Omaree Varela was alive. He was also still being subjected to physical and emotional abuse. Omaree tried to save himself and called 911 dispatch center. The 911 operator heard the abusive words being flung at Omaree by his stepfather, Stephen Casaus:
“I don’t want to be your dad,” “ I wish you weren’t here,” “I don’t want to deal with you anymore.” These were the words spoken by Stephen Casaus.
APD officers responded to the call. The officers failed to report the visit, and were subsequently suspended. While this administrative action didn’t take place for more than six months, once the facts of the multiple calls to the police and Children, Youth and Families Department became known, so did the many missteps by both government agencies.
Varela-Casaus pleaded guilty to six counts, including 2nd-degree murder and was sentenced to 40 yrs.
Casaus was found guilty of child abuse, bribery of a witness and tampering with evidence. He was sentenced to 30 yrs.
Lapel Video of first Officers on the scene. The cam is pretty bad quality, but it shows the Officers talking to Casaus! You can see Omaree briefly on the bottom of the bed as Officers try to get a response. Immediately following this I've edited it to play in slow motion, so fast forward if you don't want to see it......
In June of 2013, 9 yr. Omaree Varela was alive. He was also still being subjected to physical and emotional abuse. Omaree tried to save himself and called 911 dispatch center. The 911 operator heard the abusive words being flung at Omaree by his stepfather, Stephen Casaus:
“I don’t want to be your dad,” “ I wish you weren’t here,” “I don’t want to deal with you anymore.” These were the words spoken by Stephen Casaus.
APD officers responded to the call. The officers failed to report the visit, and were subsequently suspended. While this administrative action didn’t take place for more than six months, once the facts of the multiple calls to the police and Children, Youth and Families Department became known, so did the many missteps by both government agencies.
Varela-Casaus pleaded guilty to six counts, including 2nd-degree murder and was sentenced to 40 yrs.
Casaus was found guilty of child abuse, bribery of a witness and tampering with evidence. He was sentenced to 30 yrs.
