A California couple has been sentenced to decades in prison for the horrifying torture and murder of their own 4-year-old son, Noah Cuatro.
Back in March, Jose Maria Cuatro Jr. (32) and Ursula Elaine Juarez (30) pleaded guilty to separate charges related to Noah's death in July 2019.
Cuatro faced the most serious charge of first-degree murder, along with torture.
Juarez was charged with second-degree murder and torture.
Initially, the couple claimed Noah drowned accidentally in their apartment complex pool.
However, an autopsy revealed a horrific truth.
Noah died from suffocation, with no water found in his lungs and dry hair.
The medical examiner discovered evidence of brutal beatings, sexual assault, and numerous injuries in various stages of healing.
These included broken ribs, extensive bruising, and internal organ damage.
On Tuesday, Judge Robert G. Chu of Los Angeles County Superior Court sentenced Jose Cuatro to 32 years to life in prison, while Juarez received a sentence of 22 years to life.
Part of their plea deal involved giving up their right to appeal the convictions or sentences.
Noah's great-grandmother, Evangelina Hernandez, who previously cared for him, delivered a heart-wrenching statement through a prosecutor during the sentencing hearing.
She expressed her utter disbelief and disgust at the actions of her former daughter-in-law and grandson's father.
Hernandez revealed Juarez had previously admitted to disliking her own son.
Prosecutors also presented evidence suggesting Jose Cuatro may not have even believed Noah was his biological child, leading to further abuse.
Adding a layer of tragedy to this case is the apparent failure of California Child Protective Services to intervene despite prior reports of abuse.
Assembly member Tom Lackey, a Republican, spoke during the sentencing, highlighting the system's failure alongside the parents' horrific actions.
Noah wasn't just betrayed by his parents, but also by the very system designed to protect him.
The boy had been removed from his parents' care once before, placed under Hernandez's guardianship. Unfortunately, he was returned to them in 2018.
Just two months before his death, a social worker requested Noah be removed from the home again – a request approved by a judge but never followed through.
Another investigation by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) was underway at the time of his death, prompted by concerns of sexual abuse and domestic violence.
Sadly, child welfare agents were still attempting to interview family members when Noah was murdered.
In a final victim impact statement, Noah's great-aunt, Maggie Hernandez, described the devastating betrayal by Juarez, who portrayed a loving mother while abusing Noah in secret.
Maggie vowed to never forget her nephew or the monstrous acts that took him away.
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