The death of 2-year-old Mariana Hopkins has left family members heartbroken and demanding accountability, as serious questions continue to swirl around the circumstances that led to her passing.
According to relatives, Mariana was returned to her mother Breana Hopkins on March 1. Less than three months later, she was dead.
Family members are struggling to understand how a toddler could reportedly show visible injuries, allegedly drown, and then be found in a bathtub with no one facing criminal charges. The exact condition of Mariana’s body is not yet confirmed, as family members have referenced possible injuries to her face, but official findings are pending autopsy results.
A woman who says she has known Breana Hopkins since seventh grade has come forward with a series of alarming allegations, claiming a long pattern of troubling behavior involving both animals and children. The woman, known online as The Burnout Babe, pointed to a prior animal cruelty case involving Hopkins and a dog named Chico. According to court records, the dog was allegedly left inside a shed during extreme summer heat without adequate food or water and was found in distressing condition.
The acquaintance said she stayed in contact with Hopkins during 2023 and 2024, while both women were pregnant. During that time, she claims Hopkins repeatedly said she did not want the child she was carrying because it was not a boy, discussed three possible fathers, and made comments about not wanting a mixed-race baby. She also alleged that Hopkins received roughly $600 a month from one of the men as payment to keep the relationship quiet from his wife.
According to the acquaintance, Mariana spent much of her early life in the care of another family member while Hopkins was reportedly out partying and using drugs. The arrangement allegedly continued because Hopkins was unable or unwilling to care for the child on a consistent basis. That family member reportedly looked after Mariana for an extended period before financial hardship forced the child to be returned to Hopkins on March 1.
The woman also alleged that Hopkins became pregnant with another daughter and repeatedly discussed ending the pregnancy. She claims plans were made for someone else to take custody of the baby after birth. According to the acquaintance, Hopkins’ mother eventually took her to Chicago to have an abortion at 25 weeks.
Relatives who had previously cared for Mariana reported noticing unexplained bruises, cuts, scratches, and black eyes on the child after visits with Hopkins. Family members allegedly suspected the child had experienced physical, verbal, and even sexual abuse while in that home.
The acquaintance also brought up Stephen Collins, identified as the father of Hopkins’ son Ryder, alleging that Collins has a criminal history involving a sexual offense against a minor.
Regarding Mariana’s death, Collins told police he had placed her in the bathtub and then took their son to another bathroom to shower. When he returned, he alleged Mariana had drowned. Breana Hopkins told police she had been at work at the time, but that account was allegedly found to be untrue. According to sources, Mariana’s body remained in the bathtub for close to two weeks before being discovered. Family members have mentioned possible injuries to her face, though the full details of her condition will not be known until the autopsy is complete.
Family members do not believe the death was accidental and have raised serious doubts about the timeline and the story provided to investigators.
It is worth noting that authorities have not publicly confirmed many of the allegations circulating on social media, and no court findings have established the claims made by family members or acquaintances. Searches for news coverage of Mariana’s death turn up very little, as the case has received minimal public attention.
Relatives and supporters are continuing to push for a full investigation and are calling for accountability if criminal wrongdoing is ultimately determined.