Couple could face death penalty over murder of ‘bisexual’ 10-year-old son

The mother of a 10-year-old boy who was allegedly tortured and killed after coming out as bisexual could face the death penalty, along with her boyfriend.

Heather Maxine Barron, 29, and her boyfriend Kareem Ernesto Leiva, 32, entered not guilty pleas on Wednesday (October 3) after being charged with murdering Anthony Avalos in his California home in June.

Barron and Levia both face charges which include murder involving the infliction of torture, meaning that prosecutors could decide to seek the death penalty in the event that they’re found guilty.

Avalos was just 10 years old (justice for anthony avalos/facebook)

Brandon Nichols, deputy director of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Families (DFCS), has stated that Anthony said “he liked boys and girls” before his death on June 21.

The 10-year-old suffered head injuries and cigarette burns all over his body.

The agency opened 18 different investigations into the household from 2013 onwards, which included 88 allegations of child abuse, sexual abuse and child neglect, according to NBC Los Angeles.

Anthony in the hospital (gofundme)

Anthony was even removed from his home for several months and only returned after his relatives received counselling.

Barron and Leiva are also both charged with one count of torture and child abuse, with the child abuse charge allegedly including another victims.

The mother is also charged with a second count of child abuse which involves Anthony, while her boyfriend faces a count of assault on a child causing death.