A 10-year-old boy who was allegedly murdered by his mother and her boyfriend had come out as gay in the weeks before his death.
Anthony Avalos was found unresponsive when paramedics were called to reports the boy had fallen down the stairs at his home in Lancaster, north of Los Angeles, on June 20, and he died in hospital the next day.
He had severe head wounds and cigarette burns on his body, The Los Angeles Times reported.
Homicide detectives deemed Anthony’s death ‘suspicious’ and the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services said there were signs of ‘physical abuse, including signs of being severely beaten, as well as malnourishment’.
Heather Maxine Barron and Kareem Ernesto Leiva were arrested over the boy’s death and each charged with one count of murder and torture.
Anthony Avalos, 10, died on June 21 after his mother called 911 to tell them he had fallen down the stairs. Investigators found severe head wounds and cigarette burns on his body
His mom, Heather Maxine Barron, was arrested on Friday on murder charges. Investigators said evidence showed Anthony did not fall down the stairs and had instead died after a traumatic brain injury
Barron faces an additional count of child abuse, and Leiva faces an additional count of assault on a child causing death.
Leiva was arrested Wednesday after he was questioned by sheriff’s investigators and Barron was taken into custody Friday, officials said. It was not clear whether they had attorneys who could comment on the allegations.
Investigators said the two were arrested after evidence was uncovered that Barron’s story about her son falling down the stairs was untrue.
‘We do feel he suffered a traumatic brain injury that resulted in a bleed that resulted in the failure of his organs,’ sheriff’s Lt. Derrick Alfred said.
Brandon Nichols, deputy director of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, told the Los Angeles Times Anthony ‘said “I like boys”,’ but did not clarify who he had told that to.
When police were asked if homophobia may be a factor in why Anthony died, Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell said it was ‘too early’ in the investigation to discuss a motive.
Nichols also revealed case documents from years back note Leiva was allegedly a member of MS-13, but this was not classified or flagged as a safety threat to Anthony.
‘Just because someone has some affiliation [with MS-13], in and of itself would not have a conclusive effect,’ he said.
Kareem Leiva, Barron’s boyfriend, has also been charged over the boy’s murder. Child services flagged Leiva was allegedly a member of MS-13
After Anthony’s death, child welfare officials removed eight other children – between 11 months and 12 years old – from the home
County child welfare officials had received a dozen referrals of suspected child abuse about the boy from 2013 until 2016, officials have said.
After Anthony’s death, child welfare officials removed eight other children – between 11 months and 12 years old – from the home. They are being cared for by county child welfare workers, officials said.
On Friday, Anthony’s aunt gathered with the family’s attorney and community members to demand authorities release additional information about prior investigations and visits to the home.
‘This young boy should have been rescued from this household,’ said the family’s attorney, Brian Claypool. ‘Had Anthony Avalos been rescued and removed after all the colossal red flags we saw – 16 reports we’ve heard of – he’d still be alive today.’
Child welfare officials said Anthony had been removed from his home for several months when some of the reports of abuse were substantiated. He was returned after family members received in-home counseling, the agency said.
The agency said it confirmed two allegations involving sexual abuse when Anthony was 4 but the case was closed when it was determined that his mother was properly caring for him. The last referral regarding Anthony was in April 2016 alleging general neglect. He was interviewed, and the allegations were deemed unfounded or inconclusive, officials said.
‘Anthony’s dreams of becoming a police officer or a firefighter will never be fulfilled,’ his aunt, Maria Barron said. ‘But rest assured my sweet baby boy that you will always be loved, never forgotten. Anthony, you will always be in our hearts.’
Anthony had wanted to be a policeman or a firefighter when he grew up, his aunt Maria said