Mother, Boyfriend Charged with Killing 4-Year-Old on His Birthday

By Chuck Sudo in News on Nov 28, 2011 9:45PM

Murder charges were filed today against a woman and her boyfriend in connection to the beating death of her 4-year-old son on his birthday last Friday.

Cesar Ruiz faces charges of first-degree murder and concealment of a homicidal death. For good measure, Ruiz was also wanted on an outstanding warrant of having a suspended/revoked drivers license. Ruiz's girlfriend and the boy's mother, Crystal Valdez, was originally charged with concealment of a homicidal death and endangering the life of a child causing death. Her charges were upgraded to murder today.

Police say they have videotaped confessions from both Valdez and Ruiz. Valdez confessed to spanking her son in the days before he died and witnessed Ruiz kneeing Christopher Valdez in the stomach repeatedly and applying makeup to cover the bruises. Ruiz's confession alleges he hit the boy and covered the bruises with makeup.

Valdez's brother found the boy at their home wrapped in a blanket after relatives expressed concern over his well-being at a Thanksgiving function where he showed up with a swollen eye. Valdez, who was convicted last month of beating the boy, denied Christopher was in the house. When her brother found Christopher's body, Valdez screamed that Ruiz was responsible.

Valdez's bail was set at $750,000. She reportedly wept in the direction of her relatives during the hearing and claimed innocence. Caroline Glennon, an assistant public defender representing Valdez, said her client has special education needs as a result of lead poisoning as a child, and that Valzez has broken up with Ruiz.