PHOENIX — A Surprise man has been sentenced to life in prison plus 57 years for the abuse and murder of his 3-year-old daughter, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office announced Monday.
Carlos Tercero Cruz pleaded guilty in March to multiple charges, including first-degree murder, child abuse, and kidnapping, in connection with the 2015 death of his daughter. At the time of her death, the toddler weighed just 16 pounds and showed signs of prolonged abuse and starvation.
On May 23, 2015, emergency crews responded to a home in Surprise where they found the girl unresponsive and cold to the touch. She was pronounced dead at the hospital. Medical examiners later determined her death was caused by blunt force trauma, malnutrition, dehydration, and methamphetamine toxicity. Ligature marks were also found on her ankles, and her bones were described as “nearly translucent” due to severe malnourishment.
According to prosecutors, Cruz admitted to hitting the child with a belt. Investigators also uncovered text messages showing he ordered the child’s mother, Rosemary Velazco, to withhold food from the girl.
Velazco was previously sentenced to life in prison plus 59 years for her role in the abuse.
“This defendant stood by while his daughter starved, and instead of protecting her, he added to her suffering,” said Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. “This sentence brings long-overdue justice for this child.”
