CRISTIANO BELLE-FELIX - 12 months - (2009) / Convicted: Mother's boyfriend, Carlos Jose Rivera - Boca Raton. FL

Convicted Boca Raton baby murderer to appeal life sentence
Cristiano Belle-Felix died just before 1^st birthday in Dec. 2009


Carlos Jose Rivera, 22, of Boca Raton has been sentenced to life in prison for his first-degree murder conviction in the Dec. 20 2009 death of Cristiano Belle-Felix, his former girlfriend's 12-month-old son. (Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office / December 30, 2009)


By Marc Freeman, Sun Sentinel

8:18 p.m. EDT, September 1, 2013

For Cynthia Sahagun, the "monster" who killed her grandson, Cristiano Belle-Felix, got the life sentence he deserved in his first-degree murder case.

Carlos Jose Rivera's actions caused Cristiano's death on Dec. 20, 2009, the day before his first birthday.

"This [sentence] may not bring back my grandson, but justice was served," said Sahagun, of San Fernando, Calif., who urged Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Sandra McSorley to show no mercy toward Rivera at his Aug. 15 sentencing. "And now we can start our healing process and Cristiano's memory will be kept alive."

Sahagun's son, Victor Felix Jr., was Cristiano's father. For most of the baby's life, Felix lived with his family in California after his relationship with Cristiano's mother, Jessica Belle-Chaves, fizzled and she got close to Rivera.

At the time of the tragedy, Rivera and Belle-Chaves were dating and living at Rivera's mother's home in the 400 block of Hardwood Place in Boca Raton.

An autopsy detailed extreme trauma: a depressed skull fracture, retinal hemorrhaging, dislocated right elbow, ruptured ear drum, forehead bruises, injured spleen, clogged lungs, and a third-degree burn from an iron on one hand.

While the medical examiner ruled Cristiano's death a homicide, the defense claimed the child had a series of bad falls while in the custody of his mother and the burn was accidental.

On June 12, a 12-member jury convicted Rivera, 22, of the murder count and aggravated child abuse, after a nearly two-week trial.

Evin M. Daly, head of a Pompano Beach-based advocacy organization that helped Belle-Felix's paternal grandparents, said Cristiano didn't have to die. The CEO of One Child International thinks about the adults who failed the helpless child.

"During the trial, we heard witnesses say how they had seen Cristiano hurt and bruised in the weeks prior to his death," Daly said.

"Had just one of those witnesses cared enough to place a call to the police department or the abuse hotline, there is a chance that an intervention would have saved Cristiano's life."

At last month's hearing, McSorley denied defense attorney Mark S. Lowry's request for a new trial and she imposed the mandatory life sentence for the murder conviction. Citing Cristiano's "immense" suffering, the judge also sentenced Rivera to the maximum 30 years possible for the child abuse conviction, to run consecutive to the life term.

Before the sentencing, Belle-Chaves, 23, gave a written statement to the court describing her sadness and regrets.

At the hearing, prosecutor Cheryl Caracuzzo read portions of the statement, which cites Belle-Chaves' current college studies in criminal justice and law office internship.

"I now know what signs to look out for in child abuse and domestic abuse," Belle-Chaves wrote. "I wish I wasn't so naïve and gullible back then, but at least I can help save another person from these torturous acts if I personally see or hear of them."

She concluded with her hopes Rivera will be miserable in prison "until you die and are then taken to hell."

Rivera declined to speak at the hearing, though his friends and relatives wrote letters on his behalf. Lowry said he plans to file a challenge in the 4th District Court of Appeal.

"Carlos has been shouting from the mountain top that he's innocent and hopefully the 4th DCA will hear his cries and reverse the trial court's rulings," Lowry said.

The appeal will include the judge's refusal to allow witness testimony that Belle-Chaves mistreated her son, and the court's denial to allow jurors to hear four audio recordings of Belle-Chaves' statements to a police detective, Lowry said.

Juror misconduct allegations also may be raised. The defense said one female juror rolled her eyes and smirked, and a male juror appeared to acknowledge her facial expressions, indicating they may have decided the case before all evidence was presented.




http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/fl-boca-beaten-baby-case-sentencing-20130901,0,482818.story