Man charged in death of 5-year-old has trial date
SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) — A man accused in the torture death of a 5-year-old girl in February 2022 now has a trial date.
Jose Ruiz is one of two people charged in the case, and a judge on Monday set his court date for December 12, 2023.
The other person charged in the death of Mercedes Losoya is her mother, Katrina Mendoza.
The New York Post reports Mendoza pleaded guilty in her daughter’s death in exchange for a sentence to be capped at 45 years.
Police say Mendoza admitted to forcing the child to put dog feces in her mouth, and she also says Ruiz, her boyfriend, was charged with disciplining the child.
Investigators say Losoya was pronounced dead at Southwest General Hospital with numerous injuries, including cuts, bruises, scratches and swelling. Losoya was reportedly missing several toenails.
KSAT-12 reports Mendoza has yet to be sentenced.
If Ruiz is convicted, he will face anywhere from 5 to 99 years in prison.