Los Angeles County to Pay $20 Million in Settlement Over Tortured Child's Death
Los Angeles County will pay $20 million to settle a lawsuit regarding the 2019 death of 4-year-old Noah Cuatro, who was tortured by his parents despite being under county supervision.
Overview
- Los Angeles County agreed to pay $20 million to settle a lawsuit concerning the 2019 death of 4-year-old Noah Cuatro, who died days before his fifth birthday after being found motionless.
- Noah Cuatro was tortured by his parents, Jose Maria Cuatro Jr. and Ursula Elaine Juarez, who later pleaded no contest to murder and torture charges in connection with his death.
- The lawsuit was filed in 2020 by Noah's great-grandmother, Eva Hernandez, against the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services for failing to protect him.
- The county's Department of Children and Family Services, which supervised Noah, reportedly ignored a court order to remove him from his parents following prior abuse allegations.
- Following the settlement, Los Angeles County has hired thousands of social workers and retrained staff on interviewing techniques and forensic exams, aiming to prevent similar tragedies.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover this story neutrally, presenting factual information about the settlement and the tragic case without editorial bias. They include diverse perspectives from the family's attorney, the Department of Children and Family Services, and a county supervisor, allowing readers to form their own conclusions based on the reported statements and actions.
"Los Angeles County will pay $20 million to the family of a 4-year-old boy who was tortured to death by his parents six years ago in a case that brought scrutiny of the region's child welfare system."
ABC News"The case has reinforced the need for ongoing review of child welfare cases, stronger partnerships with our schools, and a stabilized DCFS workforce to better protect children in the Antelope Valley."
Associated PressArticles (3)
FAQ
Noah Cuatro was tortured by his parents, Jose Maria Cuatro Jr. and Ursula Elaine Juarez. The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services was criticized for failing to protect him despite prior abuse allegations and a court order to remove him from his parents. The department was later scrutinized for these lapses, leading to reforms.
Jose Maria Cuatro Jr. pleaded no contest to first-degree murder and torture, receiving a sentence of 32 years to life in prison. Ursula Elaine Juarez pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and torture, receiving a sentence of 22 years to life.
Los Angeles County has hired thousands of social workers and retrained staff on interviewing techniques and forensic exams to improve their response to child abuse cases and prevent future tragedies.
History
- This story does not have any previous versions.