Father who threw his infant son into bathtub and shoved bottle into his mouth is sentenced

STOCKTON, Calif. (TCN) -- A man will spend decades behind bars for causing fatal injuries to his baby several years ago.

According to the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office, Mathew Garcia was sentenced on June 16 to 50 years to life in connection with the death of his son, Emiliano Garcia. A jury previously found him guilty in February of multiple charges, including child abuse resulting in death, child abuse with great bodily injury, and a misdemeanor count of child abuse. 

Prosecutors called the child's death "tragic and preventable."

The victim was born on Aug. 22, 2020, and reportedly lived with his mother, Amber Navarro, his father, Mathew Garcia, and two other kids. The district attorney's office said, "What should have been a safe and loving home" had become "a place of harm, leading to the heartbreaking loss of Emiliano’s life."

Just months after his birth, on Nov. 10, 2020, the boy's mother purportedly saw a red spot and a "concerning white patch" in his mouth. According to prosecutors, medical staff at St. Joseph's Emergency Room diagnosed the infant with thrush. Later that night, the boy reportedly experienced a fever, irregular breathing, and seizures while under the care of the defendant.

Authorities said the child's injuries were not accidental. Investigators determined the victim's father repeatedly abused the boy, "driven by anger and frustration." The defendant reportedly "admitted to violently shoving a bottle into Emiliano’s mouth, shaking him, kicking him," and days before his death, "throwing him into a bathtub." According to prosecutors, Garcia noticed a "mushy spot" on his son's head but didn't seek medical help, nor did he alert the boy's mother.

The infant died from his injuries on Nov. 14, 2020. An autopsy revealed he died of severe craniocerebral trauma from multiple "violent assaults."

In a statement, District Attorney Ron Freitas said, "The abuse suffered by Emiliano Garcia is both tragic and unconscionable. Today’s sentence holds Mathew Garcia fully accountable for the unimaginable harm he inflicted on his own child. Our office remains committed to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our community, and we hope this sentence brings a measure of closure to those who loved Emiliano."

MORE: