11th September 2023 · Episode 221
Morbidology the Podcast - 221: Anthony Avalos
59 Min · By Emily G. Thompson
Numerous safeguards are established to protect vulnerable individuals, particularly children. In an ideal world, these systems work the way they are supposed to. Unfortunately, however, the child protection system is infallible, and when it fails, children are the ones left to pay the ultimate price.
Numerous safeguards are established to protect vulnerable individuals, particularly children. In an ideal world, these systems work the way they are supposed to. Unfortunately, however, the child protection system is infallible, and when it fails, children are the ones left to pay the ultimate price.
Sponsors:
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Audio Sources:
“Anthony Avalos’ mother and her boyfriend to be sentenced in 10-year-old’s torture-killing”
“Anthony Avalos death: Boy’s mother heard telling investigators she didn’t hurt him in new audio”
“First responder who found Anthony Avalos’ body makes victim impact statement”
“Anthony Avalos death: Therapist testifies she had grave concerns about treatment of boy”
“Anthony Avalos death: Mother’s boyfriend admits to disciplining 10-year-old boy”
Sources:
WFIN – 1330 AM, 22 June, 2018 – “10-Year-Old Boy Dies in Suspicious Fall Inside Apartment”
Pasadena Star-News, 25 June, 2018 – “Child Services Returned 10-Year-Old to Lancaster Home”
East Bay Times, 26 June, 2018 – “California Boy Came Out as Gay”
Associated Press, 27 June, 2018 – “Boy Who Died Subject of 12 Referrals”
Associated Press, 27 June, 2018 – “Arrest Made in Death of Boy who had Complained About Abuse”
Daily Breeze, 27 June, 2018 – “Officials Cite Abuse”
The Orange County Register, 27 June, 2018 – “Lancaster Mother’s Boyfriend Arrested on Suspicion of Murder”
ABC, 7 February, 2023 – “Anthony Avalos Death”
Associated Press, 29 June, 2018 – “California Mother, Boyfriend Charged with Murder”
Associated Press, 4 July, 2018 – “California Boy, 10, Allegedly Abused for Days Before Death”
The Hamilton Spectator, 4 July, 2018 – “California Boy was Extensively Tortured”
The San Fernando Valley Sun, 18 July, 2018 – “Frustrations Grow with DCFS”
Daily Breeze, 21 July, 2018 – “Mourning Death of a Little Hero”
Associated Press, 9 August, 2018 – “State to Audit LA Child Welfare Agency”
The Imprint, 15 August, 2018 – “Los Angeles Child Protection Office Says DCFS Not to Blame for Death of 10-Year-Old”
CBS – 3 WTKR, 3 October, 2018 – “Couple Charged in Torture Murder”
Our Weekly, 18 January, 2019 – “Uncle Wants Custody of Antony Avalos’ Siblings”
The Orange County Register, 22 May, 2019 – “LA County DCFS Failing to Protect Children”
The San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May, 2019 – “After Killings of 2 Boys in LGBTQ-Linked Cases”
The Orange County Register, 1 August, 2019 – “Family of Lancaster 10-Year-Old Who Died”
Long Beach Press-Telegram, 20 October, 2019 – “LAPD Failed to Look into 4,000 Serious Child Abuse Reports”
Our Weekly, 15 January, 2021 – “Anthony Avalos Relatives Denied Suit”
Pasadena Star-News, 6 May, 2021 – “DA Drops Death Penalty Bid”
Associated Press, 13 April, 2022 – “LA Counselor Who Didn’t Report Child Abuse Gets Probation”
CE Noticias, 6 May, 2022 – “L.A. County and Father of Death Latino Boy Reach Plea Agreement”
Associated Press, 11 May, 2022 – “Tentative $32m Settlement in Abuse Death of California Boy”
Pasadena Star-News, 25 January, 2023 – “In Alleged Torture”
Our Weekly, 2 February, 2023 – “Siblings Testify to Beatings in Death of Anthony Avalos”
The San Fernando Valley Sun, 2 February, 2023 – “Mother on Trial for Murder”
Pasadena Star-News, 6 February, 2023 – “Nurse’s Testimony”
Pasadena Star-News, 10 February, 2023 – “Young Woman Tells Court She Saw her Dad”
The Arcadia Weekly, 16 February, 2023 – “Therapist Says She Had Grave Concerns”
FOX – 6 WITI, 7 March, 2023 – “Mom, Boyfriend Found Guilty”
Associated Press, 25 April, 2023 – “Mom, Boyfriend Get life”
MailOnline, 25 April, 2023 – “California Mother and Boyfriend are Sentenced to Life”
CE Noticias, 27 April, 2023 – “The Terrible Story of Anthony Avalos”
ABC, 9 February, 2023 – “Anthony Avalos’ Teacher Shares Letter Boy Wrote Before He Died”
