Maria Isabel Cervantess

 

 

 

 

 

Four year old Maria Isabel Cervantes never knew the father who abandoned her before she was born. Maria lost her mother, who was killed in a drive by shooting, an innocent victim caught in a crossfire. Maria later was placed in the care of her aunt Arcelia Chavez. Then Maria lost her own life. Officers arrested Chavez after she carried Maria’s bruised body into the Los Angeles Police Department's North Hollywood station and stated that she had drowned.

 

Chavez began hitting Maria after she spit out food. The beating continued in the bathtub, where Chavez delivered “karate-like chops” to Maria’s small body, causing Maria to repeatedly hit her head on the bathtub. After the beating, Chavez built an altar in her bedroom, lighted candles, dressed the girl in a white dress and stockings and prayed.

 

Chavez was found guilty of the second degree murder and of assaulting a child younger than eight resulting in death. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Leland B. Harris is to sentence Chavez on October 10. First time offender face 25 years to life in prison.