Wichita mom knew boyfriend abused toddler son. Jury found her guilty of murder
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Jury convicted Stephanie Aviles of murder in 2019 child abuse death case.
- Prosecutors alleged that Aviles knew her boyfriend was abusing her son.
- Boyfriend faces separate trial in December for murder and child abuse charges.
A Wichita mother has been convicted of murder and other crimes in connection with her toddler son’s 2019 child abuse death.
Stephanie Aviles, 30, is scheduled for sentencing Sept. 2 on two counts of first-degree felony murder, aggravated child endangerment and child abuse. A Sedgwick County jury found her guilty on all counts Monday after a week-long trial. She pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Jacob Aviles was 2 years old when he died on Sept. 29, 2019, while in the care of Aviles’ boyfriend, Bernardo Gonzalez-Mejia. Police and prosecutors say Aviles knew her boyfriend was abusing the toddler but left him anyway. She told authorities each time she left Jacob alone with Gonzalez-Mejia, the boy would have new injuries that Gonzalez-Mejia would blame on other things, like falls. Those injuries included wounds to the toddler’s genitals that had to be treated at a hospital on two occasions, as well as bruises and welts from belt strikes, court records show.
The day Jacob died, Aviles left him with Gonzalez-Mejia at their home at 1126 W. Munnell so she could go meet a relative. Jacob was sitting at the kitchen table eating when she left. Gonzalez-Mejia later called to say that Jacob had fainted and was choking on a meatball, court records say.
Extensive bruising on Jacob’s body prompted police to arrest the couple.
Injuries noted at Jacob’s autopsy include several bruises to his head, back, buttocks, stomach, arms and legs; about a cup of blood pooled in his abdominal cavity; internal lacerations on tissue around his intestines; and a rib fracture that was healing.
Gonzalez-Mejia has denied harming Jacob, other than spanking for discipline when the boy refused to eat. He has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree felony murder, child abuse and aggravated child endangerment. His trial is scheduled for Dec. 8.
