Texas – In a tragic case in Texas, 27-year-old N. Aguilar has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for her involvement in the death of her 5-year-old son, Domenic. Judge V. Meza handed down the sentence on Tuesday, bringing to a close a case that uncovered shocking details of child abuse and fatal neglect.
Originally charged with child abuse resulting in death, Aguilar struck a plea deal with prosecutors and admitted guilt to a lesser charge of injury to a child resulting in serious bodily injury by omission. This plea deal was pivotal in securing a conviction against her boyfriend, D. Garcia, who was found guilty of injuring a child resulting in death by a jury in May.
The trial revealed disturbing details about Domenic’s final weeks. The abuse intensified after Aguilar and Garcia, who met online and relocated from Florida to Texas, began living together with their children. Aguilar testified that although each parent initially disciplined their own children, Garcia took over disciplining Domenic, claiming Aguilar was not strict enough.
Aguilar described numerous instances of Garcia’s abuse towards Domenic for minor infractions, such as not responding quickly or not eating fast enough. The abuse culminated in tragedy on July 24, 2021, at a hotel. On that day, Garcia threw Domenic against a wall with such force that the boy fell to the floor and vomited a dark substance shortly before his death.
Instead of seeking medical help, Garcia and Aguilar fled to Colorado with Domenic’s body, which they buried in a remote area. Aguilar later helped authorities recover her son’s remains from a ravine near their campsite. Surveillance footage from the hotel showed the couple carrying Domenic’s lifeless body to their car, a harrowing reminder of the events.
During her trial, Aguilar admitted she did not intervene during the abuse because she was “too eager to be in a relationship.” Before delivering the 15-year sentence, Judge Meza expressed her disdain for Aguilar’s actions, stating, “You have earned every single day of the 15 years that you have plea bargained for.” This sentence not only reflects the severity of Aguilar’s neglect but also brings legal closure to a case marked by profound domestic abuse. Garcia is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on August 14, where he faces a potential life sentence, underscoring the gravity of his actions.
