State prosecutors will seek the death penalty against two Surprise parents in connection with the death of the couple’s three-year-old daughter.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office on Friday filed its intent to seek the death penalty against Carlos Cruz and Rosemary Velazco.
Cruz and Velazco’s three-year-old daughter died in late May; she weighed 15 pounds, “showing signs of extreme malnourishment,” according to court documents.
A cause of death has not been disclosed. The medical examiner’s report has not been finalized, according to the prosecution’s filing.
At the time of her death, the victim’s injuries included “bruising throughout her body… [and] large lacerations to her forehead exposing her skull,” according to court documents.
Each parent “committed the offense in an especially heinous, cruel, or depraved manner,” according to the prosecution’s death penalty filing.
Neither Cruz’ nor Velazco’s attorney could immediately be reached Friday night.
