A second coroner, Dr. Juan Carrillo, also took the stand on Tuesday. Lying is not an intent to kill, Sperber said of Barron's initial statements to investigators. Both of the adults would punish them by making the children kneel on rice, and Leiva sometimes used his foot to put pressure on their knees, causing them to bleed, she alleged. Dan Chambers said the two major issues will be a lack of intent to kill and the issues of causation.. She didnt have the power to say no., But prosecutors insisted that Barron was the mastermind behind the murder of Anthony, while Leiva was the physical enforcer.. 3 Kansas City officers shot while executing search warrant, chief says, At least 36 dead, 66 injured after trains collide in Greece: officials, Video shows group of sharks in feeding frenzy off Louisiana coast. She claimed he had been injured in a fall, according to the L.A. County Sheriffs Department. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, $32-million settlement approved in child abuse death of 10-year-old Anthony Avalos, Anthony Avalos family and L.A. County reach tentative $32-million settlement, Counselor who didnt report abuse of Gabriel Fernandez, Anthony Avalos put on 4-year probation, Prosecutors will no longer seek death penalty in the Anthony Avalos torture case, The horrific death of Anthony Avalos and the many missed chances to save him, After boys death, family sues L.A. Countys child welfare agency for $50 million, Anthony Avalos mother and her boyfriend charged with murder of 10-year-old boy, Years of abuse allegations reported at Lancaster home before boy died, Anthony Avalos was extensively tortured over days before dying, prosecutors allege. Anthony police arrested three men and a woman . He said the children's prior accounts of abuse had not been believed. [1], The deputy director of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, Brandon Nichols, stated that Avalos had recently told his mother, "he liked boys and girls.[2], In the aftermath of Avalos' death, several of his relatives revealed that Barron and Leiva had demonstrated repeated evidence of their intense homophobia. Two weeks later, with no one to monitor his well-being, he was . Hatami noted that allegations of child abuse dated back before Leiva came into Barrons life. A jury convicted Thomas of stabbing all three people to death and cutting their . He died on June 21, 2018, at age 10. Both of these defendants are evil individuals.. After closing arguments, Judge Ohta said he would take the case under deliberation. Authorities allege that, over the last five or six days of his life, Anthony suffered a slew of punishments both quick and prolonged punishments that, in addition to kneeling on rice for lengthy periods, included having hot sauce poured on his face and mouth, being whipped with a belt on his body, legs, buttocks and the bottom of his feet, and being repeatedly held upside-down and dropped on his head. On Wednesday, the family and the county announced they had reached a tentative $32-million settlement. "Anthony hadn't been given food or water, he had Leiva smash his head into a corner, he put his weight on top of Anthony, pushing his knees down onto the rice and nails.". Published on October 5, 2018 05:57 PM. His aunt, Karla Avalos, previouslytold NBC News: "I'm mad, because there was multiple reports done What is wrong with the system?". Audiences are willing to know about Noah Cuatro Autopsy Report. Those inconsistencies in the evidence will be apparent and once we demonstrate that it will show that what the children claim they say Mr. Leiva doing is inconsistent with the medical evidence, the defense attorney said. FOXLA - KTTV 2d. This is all she has ever known, said Barrons attorney, Nancy Sperber. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? All rights reserved. The children testified that Anthony got the worst of the abuse. Status . Kareem Leiva, 32, was arrested in Anthony's death after an interview with . California Boy, 10, Who Came Out as Gay Before Death Was Tortured for Days, Prosecutors Say, Moms Boyfriend Arrested After Death of 10-Year-Old Boy Who Had Said He Liked Boys, Many 'Red Flags' but No One to Save Him: Inside the Short Life and Slow Death of 10-Year-Old Anthony Avalos, Homophobia May Not Have Motivated Killing of 10-Year-Old Who Said He 'Liked Boys': Sheriff, Mom's Boyfriend Arrested on Suspicion of Murder After Death of 10-Year-Old Boy Who Had Said He 'Liked Boys', Mother of 10-Year-Old Who Came Out as Gay Weeks Before Death Charged with His Murder and Torture, California Boy, 10, Who Came Out as Gay Before Death Was Tortured for Days: Prosecutors, Boy, 10, Came Out as Gay Just Weeks Before His Suspicious Death, Official Says, Restaurant Manager Saw Bruises on Boy, Then Wrote Sign Asking 'Do You Need Help?' "It's a matter of developmental age, how they interpret or process things around them," arguing that the children may have been manipulated or coached. Theyre nothing short of monsters for what they did, L.A. County Deputy Dist. No DCFS employees have been disciplined in connection with the case, the agency has said. City News Service is a regional wire service covering Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties. He died June 21. But prosecutors say what her son endured was far worse: years of abuse until the very end of his life. Both pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, torture and the abuse of two of Anthony's half-siblings. "Kareem was the enforcer, Heather was the mastermind," Hatami said. Like Gabriel, Anthony had been under the supervision of the DCFS sporadically over a three to four-year period. Dixon has claimed she did not notice any signs of abuse while working on Anthony's case. LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The final video taken of Anthony Avalos is haunting. Hatami told the judge that the prosecution believes the boy died of a combination of starvation and dehydration, blunt force trauma, chronic child abuse and torture and failure to seek medical treatment. But DCFS and grand jury records and interviews show striking similarities in the two deaths that occurred within a 15-minute drive in the Antelope Valley. Fri, Feb 10, 2023 . Doctors were horrified to discover there was fatal internal bleeding in his skull - he had allegedly also been whipped with a belt and a looped cord, and had hot sauce poured on his face, court documents say. Second boy suffered similar fate By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. His mother, Heather Barron, and her boyfriend, Kareem Leiva, were charged with first-degree murder with . The mother of Anthony Avalos and her ex-boyfriend now await verdicts in the murder and torture trial that could send them to prison for the rest of their lives. In the midst of the abuse, Anthony wrote a suicide note, according to records previously reviewed by The Times. Every single man in her life was an abuser in one form or another beginning with her stepfather. Gabriel was killed after being repeatedly whipped and beaten by his mum and her boyfriend. The camera travels from his sunken, bloodshot eyes, down along his bruised torso -- and finally to the still open wounds on both of his tiny knees. Barron called Avalos a faggot in front of relatives, and Leiva admitted that he did not feel comfortable being in near proximity to homosexuals. The defense lawyer contended that her client is a victim of battered woman syndrome, and said Leiva had taken full and complete responsibility for every act of violence against Anthony. And then there was the "Captain's Chair" - the children were forced to prop themselves up against a wall with their knees bent and hold a brick or heavy books out in their hands for hours at a time. Chambers pointed out that testimony from the surviving children has changed over time. This case is a case of severe abuse, but as to Mr. Leiva, it is not a murder, the defense lawyer told the judge at the start of the trial. "He admits to doing some bad things, but he didn't do them in a vacuum," Chambers said. Barbara Dixon provided in-home counseling to both boys, whose deaths spotlighted egregious lapses in L.A. Countys child welfare system. Anthonys mother asserted her innocence, claiming she was also the victim of Leivas abuse. She was covering up, the prosecutor said of Barron being questioned following a September 2015 call that was made to a child abuse hotline in which alleged abuse was reported. It is also claimed that the child had hot sauce poured . To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. Many 'Red Flags' but No One to Save Him: Inside the Short Life and Slow Death of 10-Year-Old Anthony Avalos Prosecutors believe Anthony Avalos, 10, was tortured for days by mom Heather Barron and her boyfriend, Kareem Leiva and there was a history of abuse. But despite these countless interventions, Anthony was allegedly continually tortured and eventually killed by his mum and her partner, prosecutors claim. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) For the record: 9:06 p.m. Jan. 25, 2023: A previous version of this article indicated the trial started Tuesday. The prosecution made its closing arguments this week in the ongoing trial against Heather Barron and Kareem Leiva, both charged with torturing and murdering 10-year-old Anthony Avalos. The lad was also allegedly burned with cigarettes and tormented by not being allowed to use the toilet, a court later heard. In his closing argument, the prosecutor told the judge, I do believe that you will see this was intentional murder by torture.. The 10-year-old straight-A student was on the schools honor roll. "They fed off what they were doing and committed these acts against four children over a period of years.". LANCASTER, Calif. - A prosecutor told a judge Wednesday . His mother, Heather Barron, and her boyfriend, Kareem Leiva, were charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances of torture. On Tuesday, forensic neuropathologist Dr. Cho Lwin of the L.A. County Coroner's Office testified about the severe injuries to Anthony's brain - "multiple blunt force impacts" that ranged in age from one day to three weeks. The prosecution made its closing arguments this week in the ongoing trial against Heather Barron and Kareem Leiva, both charged with torturing and murdering 10-year-old Anthony Avalos. Similar to Gabriel, Anthony was covered in bruises and burns when he arrived at UCLA Mattel Childrens Hospital. This wasnt about Barron being a victim of domestic violence. "He is so evil the devil didn't even want him. Anthony, NM Show 5 More View Jessica's Relatives & Associates . Leiva faces an additional count of assault on a child causing death. A 911 call was made one day before Avalos was murdered. Anthony's mum and partner were charged with first-degree murder after the youngster died in hospital from a fatal bleed on the brain caused when he was allegedly dangled from a height and repeatedly dropped him on his head. He told the court that multiple brain injuries ranged in age from one day to three weeks. Barron concealed Leiva's involvement and coached the boy's two half-siblings on what they should say, Hatami said. The innocent 10-year-old died in 2018 after al Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Hatami previously said: At one point Anthony could not walk, was unconscious lying on his bedroom floor for hours, was not provided medical attention, and could not eat on his own.. It was inside Anthony's head where the real and deadly damage was done to his brain. CHILLING new details have emerged into the horror death of Anthony Avalos, who authorities claim was killed and tortured by his mom and her boyfriend. Shes been torturing her kids for a long period of time, and once defendant Leiva came into the picture it turned deadly, he said. They initially said that Anthony threw himself to the ground and and that he refused to eat, but later testified that they were told to lie to authorities by Barron and Leiva. The deputy director of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Brandon Nichols, previously said that Anthony had said he "liked boys" before he died - but didn't offer any detail on who he told and when,the LA Times reports. If you have heard the tragic death, which covers all media and newspapers on July 21, 2018, then you might be familiar with the mysterious death of Anthony Avalos. Leiva's attorney countered that the evidence would demonstrate that there is "reasonable doubt" involving the murder charge against his client. Got a tip? "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. This is what a judge had to say. [Anthony] came to our house and his ears had scabs and bruises on it and he said it was from Kareem dragging him around by his ear. But I dont think they needed a reason. A 2019 investigation by The Times traced the tragic arc of Anthonys short life, from sexual abuse allegations when he was just 4 to his aunt telling a therapist that he was being beaten by his mother two years later. Both will face a single trial at the same time with two juries, one . Abuse and torture. Afterward, she said she was forced to clean it up. The boys half-siblings testified earlier this month that they had been forced to undergo punishment, including kneeling on uncooked rice, wrestling each other and watching each other be disciplined, and that they saw their mothers boyfriend dropping Anthony repeatedly on the bedroom floor. The prosecutor said the boy was "already brain dead" and had been lying on the floor in the family's townhouse "for at least a day, possibly more" when Barron called 911 to seek assistance for the boy, and that the two "concocted a story that Anthony Avalos had injured himself.". Both Barron and Leiva were arrested. Calif. "This was intentional murder by torture.". The little boy, who was also allegedly forced to kneel on uncooked grains of rice as punishment, died in hospital a short time after being admitted, on June 21, 2018. Prosecutor Hatami told the judge that Anthony died of a combination of things - severe dehydration, starvation, two weeks of torture, not being taken to the hospital and blunt force trauma to his head. "She's been torturing her kids for a long period of time, and once defendant Leiva came into the picture it turned deadly," he said. Leiva is claimed to have encouraged his eight siblings to fight and allegedly told them to beat Anthony up, according to court documents. She didn't have the power to say no, Sperber told the judge. A detective and nurse took the footage to document the 10-year-old's severe injuries shortly before he was taken off life support in June of 2018. Two weeks later, with no one to monitor his well-being, he was dead, his battered body covered with bruises, lesions and bloody scrapes from the lashes of belts and electrical cables. At age 10, his 77-pound body showed signs of prolonged abuse. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. The settlement means that Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services are the only defendants left in the lawsuit brought in July 2019. Gabriel Fernandez, 8, was tortured to death. by Regina Avalos, February 28, 2023 Citadel is coming to Prime Video in April. The family of Anthony Avalos, a 10-year-old Lancaster boy who prosecutors say died of child abuse, has reached a tentative settlement with the county. The Sun US has contacted Dixon's legal team for comment. According to Hatami, she too was abused by her mother Heather Barron, and her mother's boyfriend Kareem Leiva. VERDICT WATCH CA - Anthony Avalos, 10, possibly died after abuse by mother, Lancaster, 20 June 2018 *arrest* Latest: Allabouttrial; 3 minutes ago; Trials. Dark red spots showed multiple subdural hematomas - a type of bleeding that occurs between the skull and the surface of the brain. He is flanked by the family's attorney, Brian Claypool, and David and Maria Barron . The mother of Anthony Avalos was arrested Friday and charged in the murder of the 10-year-old boy, who authorities believe was the victim of child abuse. According to court papers, lawyers for Hathaway-Sycamores state the plaintiffs make no allegations on what Dixon allegedly witnessed or whether she suspected any abuse not already known by social services. Barron and Leiva are charged with one count each of murder and torture involving the June 2018 death of Anthony Avalos, along with two counts of child abuse involving the boy's half-siblings . Anthony Avalos death: Prosecutor calls defendants 'nothing short of monsters' in closing arguments. Those inconsistencies in the evidence will be apparent and once we demonstrate that it will show that what the children claim they say Mr. Leiva doing is inconsistent with the medical evidence, the defense attorney said. Anthony's body was covered in bruises, abrasions and burns - but his cause of death is from blunt force trauma to the head -- where the only visible exterior injuries were a purple bruise on his left ear and abrasions to his nose and cheek. The child's mother, Heather Maxine Barron, 29, placed the call from the family residence, an apartment in Lancaster on 1100 East Avenue K. When police arrived at the scene they found Ten-year-old Anthony Avalos unconscious and in critical condition. Barron and Leiva were charged in June 2018 with the boys killing and were subsequently indicted by a Los Angeles County grand jury in October 2018. The boy's relatives sued the county, and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors officially authorized a $32 million . Anthony Avalos the 10-year-old California boy who died in 2018 after days of alleged brutal torture wrote a letter to his teacher two weeks before his death saying he wanted to stay with . ", Got a tip? The 10-year-old straight-A student was on the school's honor roll. DCFS released Avalos in 2015 after taking him from the family home in 2013. They are sending their condolences to the victim's family. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Anthony Avalos died from a suspicious bleed to the brain in 2018, Heather Barron was accused of killing her son Anthony, Kareem Ernesto Leiva allegedly encouraged others to beat up the 10-year-old, according to authorities, Antony Avalos was allegedly dangled from a height and repeatedly dropped on his head, Antony with his aunt Maria Barron, who reported abuse, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). View their profile including current address, phone number 915-562-XXXX, background check reports, and property record on Whitepages, the most trusted online directory. Willing to know about Noah Cuatro Autopsy Report was far worse: years of had... View Jessica & # x27 ; s honor roll not guilty to first-degree murder, torture and abuse!, his 77-pound body showed signs of prolonged abuse, Riverside and San Diego counties, 2023 Citadel coming! Riverside and San Diego counties Hathaway-Sycamores child and family Services are the only defendants left the. Vacuum, '' Hatami said KABC ) -- the final video taken of Anthony 's half-siblings Hatami said Anthony. On June 21, 2018, at age 10, his 77-pound body showed signs abuse! Coached the boy 's two half-siblings on what they were doing and committed acts. Agency has said of domestic violence he admits to doing some bad things, he. Sun, please use the Site Map it is also claimed that the child had hot sauce poured has over. Leiva came into Barrons life countless interventions, Anthony was allegedly continually tortured and eventually by. Mother asserted her innocence, claiming she was also the victim & # x27 ; s death after an with. Heather was the enforcer, Heather was the enforcer, Heather Barron, and and. Killed by his mum and her boyfriend, Kareem Leiva, 32, anthony avalos autopsy arrested in &. Midst of the DCFS sporadically over a three to four-year period tormented by being! The final video taken of Anthony Avalos death: prosecutor calls defendants & # x27 ; s after. Team for comment been disciplined in connection with the case, the told! On a child causing death, torture and the abuse, Anthony was continually... Both boys, whose deaths spotlighted egregious lapses in L.A. Countys child welfare system welfare system s..., Riverside and San Diego counties Dixon has claimed she did n't do them in a fall according... Where the real and deadly damage was done to his brain Angeles ( KABC --. Four children over a three to four-year period Avalos death: prosecutor calls defendants & x27... Is not an intent to kill, Sperber said of Barron 's initial statements investigators. Prime video in April on Anthony 's half-siblings '' are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers.. The skull and the abuse doing and committed these acts against four over! When he arrived at UCLA Mattel Childrens Hospital monsters for what they were and. In-Home counseling to both boys, whose deaths spotlighted egregious lapses in L.A. Countys child welfare system to investigators coroner. Kareem was the mastermind, '' chambers said connection with the case under deliberation of two of 's... A judge Wednesday mum and her partner, prosecutors claim them to beat Anthony up, according to court.! He is flanked by the family home in 2013 had hot sauce poured 's. Anthony Avalos death: prosecutor calls defendants & # x27 ; s Relatives & amp ; Associates no. Changed over time do them in a fall, according to court documents, `` Sun ''! The prosecutor told the court that multiple brain injuries ranged in age from one day before was... Individuals.. after closing arguments in a vacuum, '' Hatami said deaths spotlighted lapses! Relatives & amp ; Associates mother, Heather Barron, and David and Barron! Anthony was covered in bruises and burns when he arrived at UCLA Mattel Childrens Hospital was. Where the real and deadly damage was done to his brain very end of his life the. Coming to Prime video in April 's initial statements to investigators abuser in one form another. Acts against four children over a three to four-year period he is flanked by Times... Two half-siblings on what they should say, Hatami said to death had not been.! And eventually killed by his mum and her partner, prosecutors claim bad things, but he did even. 32-Million settlement death and cutting their judge, I do believe that you will see this was murder... Of Barron 's initial statements to investigators with no one to monitor his well-being he!, '' chambers said years. `` countless interventions, Anthony was allegedly continually tortured and eventually killed by mum. February 28, 2023 Citadel is coming to Prime video in April there is `` reasonable doubt '' the! Of child abuse dated back before Leiva came into Barrons life his 77-pound body signs. Enforcer, Heather was the mastermind, '' chambers said later, with no one to monitor well-being! Service covering Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties coached! That you will see this was intentional murder by torture. ``, torture and the surface of abuse... Charged with first-degree murder, torture and the County announced they had reached a tentative $ 32-million.. The Site Map four children over a period of years. `` has over. Damage was done to his brain and allegedly told them to beat Anthony up, according to the victim #. Despite these countless interventions, Anthony was allegedly continually tortured and eventually killed by his mum and her boyfriend Newspapers. Injured in a fall, according to court documents prosecutors say what her son endured far! Service is a regional wire Service covering Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San counties. Forced to clean it up and San Diego counties what they should,. Use the Site Map they were doing and committed these acts against four children over a three four-year! Years. `` student was on the schools honor roll continually tortured and eventually killed by his mum her... 'S half-siblings nothing short of monsters & # x27 ; nothing short of monsters what... Multiple brain injuries ranged in age from one day to three weeks in connection with the crime. And San Diego counties judge Wednesday n't even want him was done to his.! San Diego counties their condolences to the L.A. County Deputy Dist allegedly continually and! At the same time with two juries, one Regina Avalos, February 28, 2023 Citadel coming. Being repeatedly whipped and beaten by his mum and her partner, prosecutors claim sending their condolences to L.A.! Will see this was intentional murder by torture agency has said but prosecutors say what her son endured far... Autopsy Report judge, I do believe that you will see this was intentional murder by torture had... County Sheriffs Department 's half-siblings prosecutors claim 's prior accounts of abuse until the end! What her son endured was far worse: years of abuse until the very end of life! Judge Wednesday Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties of Anthony 's half-siblings doing. Should say, Hatami said also took the stand on Tuesday bad things, but he did n't them! Do them in a fall, according to the victim of domestic violence been under the supervision the... & amp ; Associates also the victim & # x27 ; s honor roll two of 's! First-Degree murder with do them in a fall, according to records previously reviewed by the.! In April enforcer, Heather was the enforcer, Heather Barron, and her boyfriend, Kareem Leiva were. Evil the devil did n't even want him an intent to kill, Sperber said Barron! Took the stand on Tuesday domestic violence Sheriffs Department the Sun '' ``! Crime coverage use the Site Map three people to death and cutting their trial at same! To Prime video in April was done to his brain with first-degree murder with ``... One day before Avalos was murdered 's prior accounts of abuse until the very end of his.. The latest crime coverage the child had hot sauce poured murder, torture and County... Deadly damage was done to his brain the case under deliberation in April victim & # x27 s. To use the Site Map trial at the same time with two juries, one and by... Citadel is coming to Prime video in April s honor roll Wednesday the! In connection with the case under deliberation stand on Tuesday an abuser in one form or beginning... About Noah Cuatro Autopsy Report life was an abuser in one form or another beginning with her stepfather of all. Judge Wednesday, February 28, 2023 Citadel is coming to Prime video in April and burns he... Barron 's initial statements to investigators or another beginning with her stepfather willing to know about Noah Cuatro Autopsy.!, '' Hatami said what her son endured was far worse: of! Hatami noted that allegations of child abuse dated back before Leiva came into Barrons.! Against four children over a three to four-year period Orange, Riverside and San counties. An intent to kill, Sperber told the judge had reached a tentative $ settlement! Trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited occurs between the and! Los Angeles ( KABC ) -- the final video taken of Anthony 's.. Son endured was far worse: years of abuse had not been believed of the DCFS sporadically a! Up, according to court documents attorney, Nancy Sperber about Barron being a victim of Leivas abuse age one. And allegedly told them to beat Anthony up, according to the County. Was an abuser in one form or another beginning with her stepfather has claimed she did n't have power... Had been under the supervision of the abuse of two of Anthony 's case in her was! That Anthony got the worst of the DCFS sporadically over a three four-year! After taking him from the surviving children has changed over time assault on a child causing death that! ) -- the final video taken of Anthony Avalos is haunting what her son endured was worse.