On June 16, 2025, Mathew Garcia was sentenced to 50 years to life in Department 7D following a jury trial for the death of his infant son, Emiliano Garcia.

On February 4, 2025, a jury found Mathew Garcia guilty in connection with Emiliano’s tragic and preventable death.

The jury found Mr. Garcia guilty of multiple charges, including Count 1: child abuse resulting in death (Penal Code 273ab(a), felony); Count 3: child abuse (penal code 273a(a), felony) with a great bodily injury enhancement (Penal Code 12022.7); and Count 4: misdemeanor child abuse (Penal Code 273a(b)).

Born on August 22, 2020, Emiliano lived with his mother, Amber Navarro, his father, Mathew Garcia, and two other children. What should have been a safe and loving home instead became a place of harm, leading to the heartbreaking loss of Emiliano’s life.

On the early morning of November 10, 2020, Ms. Navarro noticed a red spot and a concerning white patch in Emiliano’s mouth and immediately sought medical attention. At St. Joseph’s Emergency Room, Emiliano was diagnosed with thrush. However, later that evening, while under Mr. Garcia’s care, Emiliano began exhibiting troubling symptoms, including a fever, irregular breathing, and seizures.

 These injuries were not accidental. Evidence revealed that Mr. Garcia, driven by anger and frustration, inflicted repeated physical abuse on his child. He admitted to violently shoving a bottle into Emiliano’s mouth, shaking him, kicking him, and—just days before Emiliano’s death—throwing him into a bathtub. Despite noticing a “mushy spot” on Emiliano’s head, Mr. Garcia never sought medical help or informed Ms. Navarro of the incident.

 On November 14, 2020, Emiliano succumbed to his injuries. Medical experts determined the cause of death to be severe craniocerebral trauma, the result of repeated violent assaults.

 “The abuse suffered by Emiliano Garcia is both tragic and unconscionable,” said District Attorney Ron Freitas. “Today’s sentence holds Mathew Garcia fully accountable for the unimaginable harm he inflicted on his own child. Our office remains committed to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our community, and we hope this sentence brings a measure of closure to those who loved Emiliano.”