A woman from Los Angeles and her boyfriend were both found guilty of murder in the death of her 10-year-old son, who died more than four years ago.
Heather Maxine Barron, 33, and Kareem Ernesto Leiva, 37, were found guilty of first-degree murder and torture in the death of Anthony Avalos, Barron’s son. They were also charged with child abuse against Anthony’s half-brothers and sisters.
Judge Sam Ohta of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County read the verdicts on Tuesday, March 7, which found both Barron and Leiva guilty of first-degree murder, torture, and two counts of child abuse. A month after their bench trial began, the decision was made.
Barron dialed 911 on June 20, 2018, just a few weeks after fourth-grader Avalos’ school year ended, according to the evidence. She told the dispatcher that her son was unresponsive.
When officers arrived at the house, they discovered the boy in a pitiful state, according to prosecutors. They claimed he had no pulse, bruises and abrasions all over his body, and cigarette burns on his stomach. They said that the young boy had been tortured, beaten, starved, and endured excruciating physical pain.
Officers rushed him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with severe dehydration and malnutrition. The doctors were unable to save the boy, and he died the following day.
Prosecutors claimed that Barron had been abusing Avalos and his two siblings for several years, but that things worsened when she started dating Leiva. He would beat the kids, force feed them hot sauce, and make them fight each other.
While awaiting trial, Leiva, a well-known gang member, is accused of stabbing another inmate. In 2010 and 2013, he was also charged with domestic violence.
The Avalos family received a $32 million settlement after suing county social workers for failing to protect the children despite numerous reports of abuse from 2013 onwards.
County District Attorney George Gascón was chastised by Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Hatami for barring prosecutors from seeking the death penalty in this case. Both defendants face a maximum sentence of life in prison under California law.
