MIRACUELOS FUENTES - 3 yo (2009) - Amarillo TX

http://amarillo.com/news/local-news/2011-12-06/dead-childs-mother-says-boyfriend-not-abusive

The mother of a 3-year-old boy, who police said died in 2009 of “acute abuse,” told authorities at the time that her boyfriend did not abuse her or her eight children, according to excerpts from police interviews played Tuesday.

In the second day of testimony, jurors on Tuesday heard a police interview with the child’s mother, Diane Louise Fuentes-Aguilar, 29, after the death of her then-youngest child Miracuelos Fuentes, 3.

The boyfriend Alan Alexander Adame, 21, is charged with two counts of injury to a child, a first-degree felony punishable by five to 99 years in prison.

Police said the child’s body was bruised and malnourished when they arrived at Fuentes-Aguilar’s north Amarillo home in February 2009.

In the police interview, Fuentes-Aguilar said she had been in physically abusive relationships with other men. But, she said, Adame, who she has one child with, never abused her other children.

“I don’t have no concern with Alan,” she said. “He’s good to us.”

The mother pleaded guilty to injury to a child and is serving 30 years in prison, records show.

To date, seven of the mother’s eight children have been adopted, and one was placed with family, said Paul Zimmerman, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Family and Child Protective Services.

A Potter County grand jury indicted Adame, 21, on two counts of injury to a child in connection with the death.

In the April 2009 indictment, the grand jury said Adame failed to seek medical care for the child. The March 2010 indictment lists a host of child abuse allegations against Adame, which include kicking the child and denying him food.

http://amarillo.com/news/local-news/2011-12-07/siblings-mother-condoned-abuse

The mother of a 3-year-old who police said died from “acute abuse” in 2009 watched as her boyfriend hung the child by his shirt from a nail until he turned blue, three siblings testified Wednesday.

An expert witness testified Wednesday that Miracuelos Fuentes, 3, died of blunt force trauma, dehydration and malnutrition.

The children, who have since been adopted, told jurors in the 320th District Court that their mother, Diane Louise Fuentes-Aguilar, 29, condoned the abuse and beatings by her boyfriend, Alan Alexander Adame, 21.

Adame, who has one child with Fuentes-Aguilar, is charged with two counts of injury to a child. He has pleaded innocent.

Prosecutor Audrey Mink said the most severe beatings were reserved for Miracuelos, whose body police found malnourished and beaten in February 2009.

An autopsy conducted a day after Miracuelos’ death showed the child had extensive bruises and cuts to his entire body, especially on his face and arms.

Dr. Thomas Parsons, who conducted the autopsy, testified Wednesday and said the lack of food and water were not likely lethal, but the trauma made them a deadly combination.

“But the fact these occurred at the same time left him in a lethal condition,” Parsons said.

During cross-examination, defense attorney Paul Herrmann quizzed Parsons on a slew of medical conditions and diseases that Herrmann said may have contributed to the child’s thin frame and bruises.

The children testified Adame and Fuentes-Aguilar’s harsh punishment included refusing to feed him and placing the child in a cold bath for hours. Fuentes-Aguilar then breathed into his mouth and placed him by a heater to revive him, she told jurors.

In Fuentes-Aguilar’s testimony Wednesday, she said some statements she gave to police were not accurate. She is serving a 30-year sentence after she pleaded guilty to injury to a child. On Tuesday, Herrmann played a recording of her police interview, in which she said Adame did not physically abuse her or her children.

“I don’t have no concern with Alan,” she said at the time. “He’s good to us.”

In her testimony Wednesday, Fuentes-Aguilar said for the first time that she was not protecting Adame.

“I’m not going to defend him anymore,” she said. “I have a dead son. I’m away from my family.”

To date, seven of the mother’s eight children have been adopted, and one was placed with family, said Paul Zimmerman, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Family and Child Protective Services.

A Potter County grand jury indicted Adame on two counts of injury to a child in connection with the boy’s death.

In the April 2009 indictment, the grand jury said Adame failed to seek medical care for the boy.

The March 2010 indictment lists a host of child abuse allegations against Adame, which include kicking the child and denying him food.

Testimony is expected to continue Thursday in 320th District Court.

The mother is 29 and has EIGHT children. Why don't these people stop breeding. Then the boyfriend is only 21. He is in no way prepared to be a father figure to that many kids. What a bunch of animals. I hope he gets life for murdering that poor child.

Man sentenced to 23 years in prison for injury to child

by Travis Ruiz
Posted: 12.09.2011 at 3:27 PM

AMARILLO, TEXAS -- A Potter County jury has sentenced a man to 23 years in prison on the charge of injury to a child by omission.

47th District Attorney Randall Sims said Alan Alexander Adame, 21, was found guilty Thursday on the charge of injury to a child and not guilty to the charge of injury to a child by commission. He was sentenced Friday morning.

In addition to spending 23 years in prison, Adame will also have to pay a $10,000 fine.

The trial began Tuesday with jury selection. The State presented more than 25 witnesses and the defense called just two witnesses. According to Sims, the jury deliberated for under three hours before reaching a verdict.

The date of the offense was listed as February 2009, when Adame was just 18 years old.

http://www.connectamarillo.com/news/story.aspx?id=695756#.T8ueVNX5DO8