The grand jury indictment also charges Cuatro with assault on a child causing death and sexual penetration of a child under 10. Juarez is additionally charged with one count of child abuse under circumstances likely to cause death.
Juarez is behind bars in lieu of $3 million bail and could face up to 32 years to life in prison. Cuatro — who could face a maximum of 47 years to life in state prison if convicted as charged — is jailed in lieu of $4 million bail, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
The pair, who were arrested Sept. 26, 2019, reported a drowning in their family pool in the 1200 block of East Avenue S around 4 p.m. on July 5, 2019.
Noah was taken first to Palmdale Regional Medical Center and then to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where he was pronounced dead July 6.
An attorney for Noah’s great-grandmother, Eva Hernandez, has said he plans to file a civil lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services on the family’s behalf.
A multimillion-dollar damages claim — the precursor to a lawsuit — was filed against the county last year, alleging that Noah died despite “countless reports of abuse” that had been made to the Department of Children and Family Services. That claim was recently denied, according to attorney Brian Claypool.
According to the damages claim filed on behalf of Hernandez, Noah was repeatedly removed from his mother’s care, once after she was arrested and another time due to neglect, but each time he was returned to the home.
“In February 2019, a DCFS caseworker noted that Cuatro appeared lethargic and withdrawn,” according to the claim. “There were then three more referrals in March and April, including a report that Cuatro arrived at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center in Sylmar with bruises on his back.”
The claim also contends that in May 2019, a DCFS caseworker filed a 26-page petition to have Noah removed from his parents’ custody. That petition was granted, “but willfully ignored by DCFS,” according to the claim.
“Noah Cuatro is not going to be forgotten,” Claypool said, calling the indictment “the first step in helping Noah carry out his legacy to stop this from happening again.”
DCFS issued a statement last year saying, “At any given time, the Department of Children and Family Services serves more than 34,000 families and vulnerable children in Los Angeles County with an unwavering commitment to pursue child safety every day in our communities. Our 9,000 employees are committed to this mission, and we look to do everything possible to safeguard the children entrusted to our care. We cannot comment on any pending claim, litigation or lawsuit involving the department at this time.”
The Los Angeles County Office of Child Protection released a report last year that determined DCFS officials acted “appropriately” in their handling of Noah’s case.
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
–
Ramond says
Oh of course DCFS was cleared if wrongdoing, the Government is NEVER going to find the government at fault!! But like it or not DCFS did fail this child! I would never have allowed him to go back to those people!!
Mari says
Gabriel Fernandez has a “legacy to stop this from happening again” too right, and so did Anthony Avalos….all that talk about badly needed change and that these boys will not have died in vain etc……so what’s it actually going to take for systemic change?! Kids dying is somehow not working. Amazing.