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

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - A stepfather has been indicted on murder charges in the prolonged abuse that led to the death of his 16-year-old stepson.

A Sangamon County Grand Jury indicted Steven Griffin on 8 counts, including First Degree Murder of 16-year-old Daniel Garza. The indictment alleges Griffin failed to provide adequate food and water and caused blunt force injuries to Garza's body and head, resulting in his death.

Steven Griffin, Daniel Garza, and Daniel's biological mother moved to Springfield from the state of Washington in November 2024. While in Springfield, the family had been living out of hotels.

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.

In addition to the First-Degree Murder charges, Griffin is charged with aggravated battery, alleging he threw hot water on Garza, causing serious burns to his face, neck and chest. Prosecutors said he did this intentionally and that it involved the infliction of torture, subjecting Garza to extreme physical pain with an intent to increase or prolong pain and suffering.

Prosecutors also said Griffin struck Garza in the back of the head with nun chucks and stomped on his ankle, causing the fracture.

Additional charges include endangering the life or health of a child and abuse or criminal neglect of a person with a disability.

Griffin is also indicted in another case, unrelated to Garza, with 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.

The case was investigated by the Springfield Police Department and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

Griffin appeared in court on both cases on Feb. 20. His next court appearance is March 24. He is detained in the Sangamon County Jail.