Idaho father sentenced to life after 9-year-old son was fatally beaten, tortured, and starved
10/24/2022 12:56 pm PDT
BOISE, Idaho (TCD) -- A 31-year-old father was recently sentenced to life in prison in connection with the 2020 death of his 9-year-old son, who had suffered severe abuse.
According to a news release from the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office, in the spring and summer of 2020, Erik Osuna and his wife, Monique Osuna, "inflicted physical, emotional, and psychological abuse on Emrik Osuna." Even though Erik Osuna witnessed the abuse, he "allowed the torture of his son, Emrik Osuna, who was forced to do hours of physical exercise, was severely beaten, and starved."
Ada County District Judge Steven Hippler called the abuse "unspeakable," "unforgettable," and "evil," KTVB-TV reports.
The victim endured torture and abuse that was recorded via a "nanny camera," the Prosecutor’s Office said. However, Erik Osuna reportedly failed to intervene or report the abuse inflicted by his wife.
According to KTVB, the victim endured the abuse for months, and on Sept. 2, 2020, he died at St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital.
At the time of his death, the victim weighed 41 pounds and had bruising on his body. The boy also had signs of starvation, dehydration, and was hypothermic when taken to the hospital.
In the "nanny camera" footage, Monique Osuna was reportedly seen starving her stepson, beating him with a frying pan, and ordering him to exercise nonstop. In the footage, the victim said, "But mom, I don’t want to starve to death," KTVB reports.
In another video, Erik Osuna reportedly told his unconscious son to wake up and exercise. He told authorities that his wife beat the child with a dog leash, and the victim began throwing up on Sept. 1 before going unconscious, according to KTVB.
On Thursday, Oct. 20, the Prosecutor’s Office announced that Erik Osuna was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Previously, his wife, Monique Osuna, had been sentenced to life in June.
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