Jose Maria Cuatro Jr., 28, and Ursula Elaine Juarez, 25, are charged with one count each of murder and torture in connection with the death of Noah Cuatro.
Jose Cuatro is also charged with one count of assault on a child causing death, while Juarez is charged with child abuse resulting in death.
The two — who were arrested Sept. 26 by Los Angeles County sheriff’s detectives — reported a drowning in their family pool in the 1200 block of East Avenue S around 4 p.m. July 5, but Noah’s injuries later raised suspicions about how he died.
The following week, Sheriff Alex Villanueva announced that an investigation was underway into the boy’s death. The sheriff said Noah lived with his parents and three siblings, who were taken into protective custody.
The boy’s death raised questions about the actions of county social workers who interacted with the family. Noah’s great-grandmother, Eva Hernandez, filed a multimillion-dollar damages claim — the precursor to a lawsuit — against the county last summer, alleging that the boy died despite “countless reports of abuse” that had been made to the Department of Children and Family Services.
“There were at least a dozen calls made to the child abuse hotline and police from people who said they suspected [Noah] and his siblings were being abused,” according to the claim filed on behalf of the boy’s great-grandmother.
The Los Angeles County Office of Child Protection released a report last September that determined DCFS officials acted “appropriately” in their handling of Noah’s case.
Cuatro and Juarez are due back at the Lancaster courthouse on April 7, when a date is scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine if there is sufficient evidence for the case against them to go to trial.
They could each face up to 32 years to life in state prison if convicted as charged, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Previous related stories:
New details reveal how two social workers fought, but failed, to save 4-year-old Noah Cuatro
Parents of Noah Cuatro charged with murder, torture
Controversy over Palmdale boy’s death intensifies at L.A. County child welfare meeting
Report clears DCFS of wrongdoing in suspicious death of 4-year-old Palmdale boy
Relative files damages claim over death of 4-year-old Palmdale boy
Authorities ordered Palmdale child removed from home weeks before death
Investigation launched into 4-year-old Palmdale boy’s death
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Jj says
But they will take away peoples parental rights even though they had nothing to do with why the kids were taken..railroading parents who dont or didnt deserve to lose their children..and allowing the children to go back with the parent that DID put them in danger or neglecting them..system is ass backwards
Palmdale Parenting says
Nothing less than life in prison…
Liza says
Leave them there so they can get tourtured and killed no-one cares for them out here anyways