Mom accepts plea deal in torture death of daughter who was forced to eat feces

A Texas mother has pleaded responsible to her position within the torture death of her 5-year-old daughter – who was compelled to eat canine feces and put urine-soaked socks in her mouth.

Katrina Mendoza, 23, of San Antonio, pleaded responsible Monday to a first-degree felony rely of harm to a baby inflicting critical bodily harm by omission, Law & Crime reported.

The cost carries a most penalty of life behind bars, however the Bexar County District Lawyer’s Workplace agreed to cap her sentence at 45 years if she pleaded responsible, in keeping with the outlet.

Mendoza and her then-boyfriend, Jose Ruiz, 27, had been each arrested and charged with harm to a baby after the demise of her daughter, Mercedes Losoya.

The kid was pronounced useless at Southwest Basic Hospital in February 2022 after cops mentioned she suffered weeks of utmost bodily abuse that left her with cuts and bruises – and precipitated her to lose giant chunks of hair and several other toenails.

Mendoza instructed investigators that Ruiz had abused her daughter for 3 weeks after she requested him to assist self-discipline the woman. She claimed he compelled Mercedes to place canine feces in her mouth as he screamed at her.

She mentioned he stuffed a sock soaked in urine into the woman’s mouth — after which pulled it out so aggressively that two of her tooth fell out, officers have mentioned.

The mom additionally alleged that Ruiz repeatedly struck Mercedes with belts and his palms, which had been coated with rings – however he claimed he solely slapped the woman “on the ass” and accused the sufferer’s 6-year-old sister of pulling out her hair.

Ruiz, who pleaded not responsible to harm to a baby inflicting critical bodily harm, is scheduled to go to trial in October, in keeping with Regulation & Crime.

On Monday, District Choose Stephanie Boyd mentioned she would delay formally sentencing Mendoza till after Ruiz’s trial is accomplished, the San Antonio Express-News reported.

Mercedes’ sister has reportedly been faraway from the house and positioned within the custody of Youngster Protecting Providers.