Noah Cuatro Parents, Palmdale Parents Charged For Murder And Torture Of Their Son
The Fateful Story Of Noah Cuatro
Relatives of a 4-year-old Palmdale boy Noah Cuatro whose 2019 death was originally reported as a drowning — but later led to a criminal indictment of his parents — will ask a judge next month to expedite the trial of their wrongful death suit against Los Angeles County due to the ages of the minor plaintiffs. The Pomona Superior Court lawsuit stems from the death of Noah Cuatro. His great-grandmother, Evangelina Hernandez, brought the case in July 2020 on behalf of herself and the boy’s sister and two brothers, all minors. Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services was named as an additional defendant, but was dismissed from the case in January by Judge Peter A. Hernandez. The suit alleged Hathaway-Sycamores knew of or suspected the abuse and misconduct occurring in Noah’s home after the boy was sent to the agency by the county Department of Children and Family Services for mental health services, but failed to report the abuse.
Noah Cuatro Parents
The relatives of Noah Cuatro, a 4-year-old boy from Palmdale who died in 2019, will ask a judge to expedite their wrongful death suit against Los Angeles County due to the age of the minor plaintiffs. The lawsuit was filed in July 2020 by Noah’s great-grandmother, Evangelina Hernandez, on behalf of herself and the boy’s sister and two brothers, all of whom are minors.
Noah’s parents, Jose Maria Cuatro Jr. and Ursula Elaine Juarez were both indicted in January 2020 on one count each of murder and torture in connection with their son’s death. Cuatro was also charged with assault on a child causing death and illiteral penetration of a child under 10, which allegedly occurred on the same day that the boy was attacked. Juarez was charged with child abuse under circumstances likely to cause death.
The boy’s parents initially reported that Noah had drowned in the family pool on July 5, 2019, but medical staff determined that his injuries were not consistent with drowning. Noah was taken to Palmdale Regional Medical Center and then to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where he was pronounced dead on July 6, 2019.
The lawsuit alleges that multiple reports of abuse had been made to the county Department of Children and Family Services prior to Noah’s death. Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services was also named as a defendant in the lawsuit, but was dismissed from the case in January by Judge Peter A. Hernandez. The plaintiffs have appealed this ruling.
The plaintiffs’ lawyers argue that the case should go to trial in early 2023, citing the Code of Civil Procedure, which gives trial preference to any litigant in a personal injury or wrongful death case who is under 14 years old unless the court finds that the party “does not have a substantial interest in the case as a whole.” The lawyers also argue that delaying the trial could exacerbate the plaintiffs’ trauma and make it more difficult for them to recall events. A hearing on the motion for trial preference is scheduled for June 14.
Justice For Noah Cuatro
The death of 4-year-old Noah Cuatro in 2019 was a tragic event that highlights the failures of the child welfare system and the injustice that can occur when those responsible for protecting vulnerable children do not take appropriate action.
Noah was a victim of abuse, and despite multiple reports of mistreatment and neglect, he remained in the care of his parents until his death. The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) had received at least 13 reports of suspected abuse or neglect of Noah prior to his death. These reports included allegations of physical abuse, malnutrition, and being kept in unsanitary conditions.
Despite these reports, Noah remained in his parents’ care, and in fact, was returned to their custody by DCFS just weeks before his death. Even after Noah’s death, there were attempts by DCFS to cover up the failures of the system and protect those responsible.
Furthermore, the lawsuit filed by Noah’s great-grandmother on behalf of his siblings alleges that Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services, a mental health services provider, failed to report abuse they suspected or knew was occurring in Noah’s home. This failure to act may have contributed to Noah’s tragic death.
The injustice in Noah’s case lies in the fact that multiple reports of abuse were made, yet he was not removed from his abusive environment, and ultimately lost his life at the hands of those responsible for his care. The system failed Noah, and his death highlights the need for greater accountability and action to protect vulnerable children from abuse and neglect.
No child should have to endure the kind of mistreatment and neglect that Noah experienced, and his death should serve as a wake-up call to those responsible for protecting children to do more to prevent such tragedies from happening again in the future.
Noah Cuatro Death
Noah Cuatro’s tragic death highlights the importance of protecting vulnerable children and the need for systemic reforms in the child welfare system. Noah’s death occurred after multiple reports of abuse had already been made to the county Department of Children and Family Services. The system failed to protect him, and his death highlights the need for better policies and practices in responding to reports of child abuse.
In Noah’s case, he was sent to Hathaway-Sycamores for mental health services, but the agency failed to report the abuse they knew or suspected was occurring in his home. Better communication and coordination among agencies involved in child welfare could have prevented his death.
Noah’s case also highlights the need for early intervention and support for families at risk of child abuse. By providing families with the support they need, we can prevent abuse from occurring in the first place.
Noah’s death is a tragic reminder of the devastating impact of child abuse on young lives. It is essential to prioritize the safety and well-being of vulnerable children and ensure they receive the protection and care they deserve.
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