Family of boy allegedly killed by mother, her boyfriend demands investigation of social workers

LANCASTER, Calif. -- (KTLA) -- The family of a 10-year-old boy who died after allegedly being tortured by his mother and his mother's boyfriend is calling for a criminal investigation of the social workers involved in the victim's case before he died.

Brian Claypool, an attorney representing Anthony Avalos', family will hold a news conference Tuesday morning where he is expected to discuss “shocking details” in Department of Children and Family Services records that show child abuse allegations at the home.

Anthony's mother, Heather Barron, 28, and her boyfriend, Kareem Leiva, 32, have been charged with murder and torture in the boy's death.

Anthony was found unresponsive after his mother called 911 saying he had suffered a fall in their apartment in the 1100 block of East Avenue K on June 20. The boy died the following morning.

Anthony's father, Victor Avalos, is also expected to speak during the news conference.

Claypool will discuss the DCFS document, which he says reveals that Barron had been declared “unable or unwilling to protect the child from serious harm, including physical and sexual abuse,”in May 2016, according to a news release. Eight other children have been taken from the home since Anthony's death.

The attorney says the findings in the documents support an immediate criminal investigation of select DCFS social workers.