Anthony Avalos, 10-Year-Old Boy
Anthony’s Abuse and Neglect
Anthony Avalos was a 10-year-old boy from California, USA, who was subjected to years of abuse and neglect by his mother, Heather Barron, and her boyfriend, Kareem Leiva. Anthony was repeatedly beaten, starved, and locked in small spaces. Despite multiple reports to child protective services, the abuse continued.
Death and Legal Actions
Anthony died on June 21, 2018, from blunt force trauma to the head. His death led to the arrest and charging of his mother and her boyfriend with murder and torture. The case highlighted significant failures in the child protection system and prompted calls for better training and oversight of social workers.
