Echo Park

Mom Charged After Body of Malnourished, Abused Son Found in Closet

If convicted, the boy's mother faces a maximum sentence of 15 years to life in state prison.

An Echo Park mother was charged Thursday after the physically-abused, malnourished body of her 11-year-old son was discovered by his stepfather in the closet, the Los Angeles District Attorney said.

The boy was discovered wrapped up in a blanket in the closet on Tuesday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. He had been dead for hours, investigators revealed. 

Veronica Aguilar, the 39-year-old mother of the boy, was charged Thursday with murder and child abuse resulting in death after prosecutors alleged he died due to neglect and severe malnutrition. The Los Angeles County Coroner's office had yet to reveal the cause of death. 

The boy was identified by the coroner's office as Yonatan Daniel Aguilar.

Aguilar was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment resulting in death or great bodily injury Tuesday after the child's stepfather, Jose Pinzon, discovered him in a closet in the mother's home in the 2100 block of Santa Ynez St.

Pinzon called police after Aguilar allegedly told him that her son was dead. 

When officers and paramedics arrived at the home, they confirmed he was deceased.

The boy was discovered to be starved, physically abused, and had been dead for hours.

The recommended bail amount was set at $2 million, and if Aguilar is convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 15 years to life in state prison.

Other media sources reported the Department of Children and Family Services was called to the home on several occasions prior to the boy's death.

"By law, we cannot disclose any information, including confirmation, regarding services that may have been provided to this family or address," the agency told NBC4.

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