Kansas City, KS – A 30-year-old mother, Stephanie Aviles, has been ordered to serve 25 years to life in prison after being convicted of first-degree murder in the brutal 2019 killing of her 2-year-old son, Jacob Aviles. The sentencing was handed down by Sedgwick County District Court Judge Eric Williams on Tuesday, marking a significant development in this tragic case.
The young boy suffered extensive fatal injuries caused by blunt force trauma, according to medical reports, and Aviles also received additional sentences for child abuse and aggravated child endangerment. This devastating case has drawn significant attention in Kansas and beyond.
The Tragic Incident and Investigation
On the morning of September 29, 2019, Wichita police responded to a call about the unresponsive 2-year-old Jacob in a home located on the 1100 block of West Munnell Avenue. Despite immediate life-saving efforts by police and emergency responders, Jacob was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy revealed Jacob suffered from multiple contusions on his head, arms, legs, abdomen, and back, along with internal bleeding and several lacerations to critical tissues. The cause of death was officially ruled as homicide by blunt force trauma.
- Jacob’s body had extensive bruises and injuries consistent with ongoing abuse.
- He had previous serious injuries, including two separate incidents requiring hospitalization due to injuries to his genitals.
- Authorities arrested Stephanie Aviles and her boyfriend, Bernardo Gonzalez-Mejia, shortly after the investigation unfolded.
The Role of Stephanie Aviles and Bernardo Gonzalez-Mejia
Court documents and witness reports reveal troubling details about the circumstances leading to Jacob’s death. Stephanie Aviles reportedly left Jacob in the care of Gonzalez-Mejia while she was out with her daughter. Gonzalez-Mejia called Aviles to report that Jacob had fainted and become unresponsive, describing concerning symptoms such as the child turning yellow.
When Aviles returned home, emergency services were already attending to Jacob. Throughout police interviews, Aviles claimed neither she nor Gonzalez-Mejia physically harmed the children, although she admitted Jacob frequently had injuries while in Gonzalez-Mejia’s care. She stated that “Bernardo would explain it away”, referring to how Gonzalez-Mejia dismissed or justified Jacob’s injuries.
“Bernardo would explain it away,” Aviles told police, hinting at repeated abuse being concealed or minimized.
Gonzalez-Mejia initially denied causing harm but later admitted to spanking Jacob with a belt over his diaper the night before the boy’s death because he was not eating.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Stephanie Aviles was found guilty of first-degree murder as well as child abuse and aggravated child endangerment. She received a combined prison sentence that will see her serving at least 25 years before parole consideration, followed by three years of probation upon release.
Bernardo Gonzalez-Mejia remains in custody and is scheduled to go on trial on December 8 facing charges of murder, child abuse, and child endangerment.
- Aviles received 25 years to life plus an additional 41 months consecutively for child abuse.
- If granted parole, she will serve a further 3-year probation term.
- Gonzalez-Mejia faces trial later this year with multiple serious charges.
The case underscores the critical importance of protecting vulnerable children from abuse and holding those responsible accountable. As reported, both defendants’ actions and neglect played devastating roles.
What This Means Going Forward
This tragic case has highlighted systemic concerns regarding child safety and the signs of abuse often ignored or explained away within homes. Community and legal experts emphasize the need for vigilance and intervention in similar situations:
- Increased awareness and education about child abuse warning signs.
- Encouraging community members to report suspected abuse immediately.
- Ensuring thorough investigations and swift legal actions against perpetrators.
With Gonzalez-Mejia’s trial pending, the community awaits further justice for Jacob and steps toward preventing future tragedies.
What do you think about this heartbreaking case? Have you seen warning signs of child abuse in your community? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
