According to the court documents, the mom’s boyfriend, later identified as 27-year-old Jose, was sentenced to life in prison after he killed his girlfriend’s 5-year-old chiId by beating the girI to death. The girl’s mom was also charged, but she took a plea deal and testified against her boyfriend. The mom is now facing between 5 and 45 years in prison for her role in her daughter’s death.
During the trial, prosecutors said the 5-year-old chiId, Mercedes, was brought to the hospital with severe and life-threatening injuries. Hospital staff told investigators that sections of hair were missing and appeared to have been ripped out of the girl’s head. The medical examiner told investigators that the little girl had bruises and sweIIing all over her body.
Prosecutors said the 5-year-old girl was beaten regularly. Mercede’s mom rushed her daughter to the hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. When hospital staff realized that the child suffered severe and visible injuries, they called the authorities. During the trial, the girl’s mom reportedly testified that she witnessed her boyfriend shoving dog f-ces in her daughter’s mouth.
The 27-year-old man also shoved a sock soaked in urlne and removed the sock so hard, he ripped the child’s teeth. The mom also testified that her boyfriend would beat her 5-year-old daughter with closed fists. He also made the girl hold heavy objects while standing. During the trial, the 27-year-old defendant reportedly said that he only sIapped the child on the a-s and Mercede’s older sister pulled out her hair.
