Heather Maxine Barron and her boyfriend, Kareem Ernesto Leiva were sentenced to lifetime imprisonment without the possibility of parole for the 2018 murder of 10-year-old Anthony.

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Who are Heather Barron and Kareem Leiva?

Heather Maxine Barron is a 33-year-old South Californian woman and the mother of now-deceased Anthony. She is in a relationship with Kareem Leiva, who is 37. In March, they were both found guilty of first-degree murder. Although they had been facing the death penalty, George Gascón, the district attorney for Los Angels County, had declared that after he was elected in 2020, his office would not enforce the death penalty.

Barron’s child was just 10 years old at the time of his death. His mother and her partner abused him physically, sexually, and emotionally for years.

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Barron and Leiva were found guilty last month of torturing Anthony Avalos and his siblings before killing Anthony, Barron’s oldest child, at the age of ten. This horrific five-year ordeal came to an end when they were given a life sentence without the prospect of parole. Both were also sentenced to pay $7,500 in victim’s compensation funds and were not granted probation. Now, notices of appeal have been submitted by their lawyers.

Heartbreaking victim impact letters were read by family members during the sentencing session. The judge was given a statement by Anthony’s half-sister, who is now 13 years old, in which she refers to Barron as a “monster” for not protecting her kids.

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She started crying and a grown-up took over delivering the statement. During the speech, Barron was also spotted wiping tears from her face. Anthony’s father, Victor Avalos, also testified in court. He said that despite living in Mexico, he had made it known to Barron that he was ready to take over. He expressed his loss for his son and wished Barron had chosen wisely.