A Texas man, who took the life of a little 5-year old girl by abusing her before killing her in 2022, is finally charged with life in prison.
Mercedes Losoya died in February 2022 in San Antonio, Texas, after being taken to a local hospital by her mother and the woman’s then-boyfriend.
Following her death, her mother’s then-boyfriend Jose Ruiz was charged with injury to a child, assault bodily injury, and violation of a protective order.
On Monday, a jury in San Antonio sentenced Ruiz to life for the abuse and killing of Mercedes.
Katrina Mendoza, Mercedes’ mother and Ruiz’s ex-girlfriend, was also charged with injuring a child, but accepted a plea deal on condition that she testify against Ruiz.
Mendoza’s own family had raised alarm about her abuse of Mercedes in the months leading up to the killing.
In court, Mendoza detailed the abuse Ruiz inflicted on Mercedes by testifying, “He would pull Mercedes’ hair and cover her mouth and nose. Use thumbtacks on her feet. He would even abuse her with her own urine at times.”
“He also put dog feces on the child to humiliate her,” she added. “He used the guise of discipline to beat Mercedes with his bare hands or the buckle of his belt.”
In court, medical examiners said Mercedes died from a condition that stems from toxin protein released into the blood from damaged muscle, a result of her physical abuse.
Dr. Rajesh Kannan, who conducted the autopsy on the child’s body, said in court, “She had extensive trauma. From top to bottom. All over the body.”
Ruiz was given life in prison on one count, 20 years in prison on another, and 10 years in prison on six other counts.
Meanwhile, Mendoza faces up to 45 years in prison as part of her plea deal.
