A Stockton man, Matthew Garcia, was convicted this week for the 2020 killing of his 2-month-old son, Emiliano Garcia. A jury found him guilty of the brutal crime, which occurred just months after he was released early from prison due to COVID-related measures.
According to the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, Emiliano was born on August 22, 2020, and was later diagnosed with thrush, a common infection in infants. On November 10, 2020, after visiting the emergency room, Emiliano experienced severe symptoms, leading Garcia to shake, kick, and throw him into a bathtub. Emiliano died on November 14 due to craniocerebral trauma.
Garcia had previously been serving time for robbery and burglary but was released early in 2020 as part of a state effort to reduce prison overcrowding during the pandemic. Originally sentenced to three years in prison, he was given credit for time served, making him eligible for early release within months.
Following his conviction, Garcia now faces 50 years to life in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for April 14.
San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas condemned the crime, stating, "This verdict is not just a legal victory; it's a moral imperative. We have made it unequivocally clear that the brutalization of our children will face the full force of the law."
This article is a summary of reporting by ABC10.