Jovanie Ochoa

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liza Ochoa, had sent Jovonie to live with relatives because she was addicted to heroin. Four year old Jovonie Ochoa who died of starvation on Christmas Day in 2003. He weighed 16 pounds, less than half of what a boy his age should weigh. Five relatives denied Jovanie food by restraining him to a bed in his grandparents' home for months. It was discovered, during his autopsy, that Jovonie had severe bed sores which were consistent with someone who had been confined to a bed for long periods of time.

 

The arrest warrant for this case states that Jovonie was severely malnourished and was skin and bones. It indicates that he was lying on his back for several weeks before his death and the contents of his stomach revealed very little other than what appeared to be curdled milk. In the last statements of the warrant it lists both his Uncle and his Grandmother for taping Jovonie's hands and feet and striking him repeatedly.

 

 

Three adults pleaded guilty to Jovanie's injuries and were each sentenced to 10 years in prison for their part in the death, They are Jovonie's aunt, Delores Esqueda,  his uncle, Geronimo Esqueda,and his step-grandfather, Juan Palacios. They were
 living in the house when Jovonie died. Liza Ochoa pleaded guilty to endangering a child and was sentenced to two years in state jail.  Jovonie's grandmother, Maria Palacios was sentenced  to life in prison for his death.

Sept. 1, 1999 - Dec. 25, 2003

Age: 4 Year

Location: Texas

Suspect in death: Relatives