L.A. couple get life in prison for torturing and abusing 10-year-old Anthony Avalos to death

LOS ANGELES (TCD) -- A judge sentenced a 33-year-old woman and a 37-year-old man to life without the possibility of parole a month and a half after they were convicted of torturing and killing her 10-year-old son.

KABC-TV reports Judge Sam Ohta announced Heather Barron and Kareem Leiva’s sentencing decision Tuesday, April 25, in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Ohta found the couple guilty of first-degree murder, torture, and child abuse March 7 during a bench trial, meaning there was no jury present.

Several family members spoke at the sentencing hearing Tuesday and shared stories of their memories with Anthony and how his death impacted them.

According to NBC Los Angeles, one 8-year-old cousin reportedly said Anthony "always played with me and made me laugh," sharing, "I have a video I like to play over and over again of him making me laugh when I was little. We will never get to see Anthony grow up. I will never get to play again with my older cousin."

Others called Leiva and Barron "monsters."

Diane Ravago, a paramedic who responded to Anthony’s home, said, "Of all the trauma, tragedy, and death I’ve ever seen or heard of, this surpasses them all. It may seem counterintuitive as someone who rushes to save lives to publicly wish death on another human. I actually wish the opposite for you both."

Ravago continued, "I would hope that you are both made to feel alone, tormented, neglected, scared, confused, unwanted, unsafe, disgusting, useless, hated, lost, unloved, and every other horrible emotion you inflicted on Anthony and even more. Death would only end those feelings for you."

According to NBC Los Angeles, Anthony died June 21, 2018, from head injuries after enduring years of abuse and torture.

MORE:

• Anthony Avalos' mother and her boyfriend sentenced to life without parole in 10-year-old's murder - WABC
• Mother of Anthony Avalos, Boyfriend Sentenced to Life in Prison in 10-Year-Old Boy's Torture, Murder - NBC Los Angeles
• Calif. mother, boyfriend found guilty in torture and death of 10-year-old boy, 3/8/2023 - TCD