LA prosecutors seek death penalty in 10-year-old’s death

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Prosecutors will seek the death penalty for a mother and her boyfriend charged with torturing and killing the woman’s 10-year-old son.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced the decision in court Wednesday.

Heather Barron and Kareem Leiva have pleaded not guilty to the torture and murder of Anthony Avalos.

The boy died in June 2018 after being found unresponsive at home in Lancaster, north of Los Angeles.

Prosecutors say Anthony was starved and tortured for days before his death.

Anthony’s father has filed a $50 million lawsuit against Los Angeles County’s child welfare agency, saying it failed to protect the boy.