Pueblo, CO – A Colorado man has been sentenced to more than 32 years in prison for the murders of his two young children, carried out with his girlfriend, and for hiding their bodies in horrific conditions, including a concrete-filled container and a car trunk, prosecutors said.
Timeline of the Tragic Events
Jesus Dominguez, 37, took a plea deal in July 2025, pleading guilty to second-degree murder and agreeing to testify against his girlfriend, Corena Minjarez, 37, who was already sentenced to life in prison. The killings occurred in 2018 and involved Dominguez’s children, Jesus Jr., 5, and Yesenia Dominguez, 3, who were not Minjarez’s biological children.
The couple attempted to conceal the crimes by storing the children’s remains in a car trunk and a storage facility in Pueblo. Jesus Jr.’s body was wrapped in garbage bags, placed in a suitcase with comforters, cat litter, and baby powder, and later left in the trunk of a Pontiac that ended up at a local scrapyard. Yesenia’s body was initially placed in a tote bag, moved into a suitcase, and stored at the unit where the couple lived.
Abuse and Neglect Leading to Death
According to court testimony, Minjarez abused the children over difficulties with potty training. Dominguez described incidents where Minjarez would:
- Force the children into plastic bags during car rides
- Spray Jesus Jr. with a high-pressure car wash nozzle, causing lacerations near his groin
- Ignore signs of medical distress, refusing to take the children to a hospital
On March 14, 2018, Yesenia stopped breathing while sitting in a trash bag on the car floor, but the couple did not seek medical help. Her body was later placed in a tote bag, then a suitcase, and stored in Minjarez’s trunk.
Weeks later, while living out of a storage unit, Dominguez Jr. also died after being neglected during a drug trip with the couple, with his body eventually stashed in a suitcase with layers of trash bags near the Pueblo Dam.
Investigation and Discovery of the Bodies
The remains of the children were discovered after Minjarez’s mother became suspicious while helping clear the storage unit in January 2024. She reported finding a container filled with concrete, which led police to the bodies.
- Yesenia’s body was found inside the metal container, badly decomposed, with autopsy confirming homicidal violence
- Jesus Jr.’s body was located two weeks later at a scrapyard
The investigation revealed that the couple transported and concealed the bodies while continuing their drug abuse, including Percocet and methamphetamine, in the vehicle with Jesus Jr. present.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Dominguez accepted his plea deal on July 10, 2025, agreeing to testify against Minjarez, who was convicted of first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse. Prosecutors emphasized that despite the defense’s claim of Dominguez acting alone, the evidence clearly showed Minjarez orchestrated the abuse and killings.
The sentencing handed 32+ years in prison to Dominguez, reflecting the extreme cruelty and premeditation involved in the murders.
Statements from Prosecutors
Chief Trial Deputy Kyle McCarthy and Senior Deputy District Attorney David Dingess stated:
“Child abuse often does not have many witnesses, and this case was no different. This made the collaborative effort of law enforcement and prosecution all the more important.”
They added that compelling evidence presented during Minjarez’s trial confirmed her role in the deaths and the horrific concealment of the children’s bodies.
Closing Thoughts
The case highlights the devastating consequences of child abuse and neglect, the importance of community vigilance, and the role of law enforcement in uncovering hidden crimes.
Families and caregivers are reminded to report suspected abuse immediately and to prioritize the safety of children in their care.
What do you think about this tragic case? Share your thoughts in the comments below on how communities can better protect children.
