Man pleads guilty to second-degree murder by child neglect
A Las Vegas man pleaded guilty to second-degree murder by child neglect for failing in June 2005 to seek prompt medical treatment for his girlfriend's ailing 3-year-old son.
Jose Luis Rubio agreed to the plea Tuesday while in the midst of jury selection for his trial.
Rubio was originally charged with first-degree murder by child abuse.
Authorities said Rubio was caring for the boy June 13, 2005 when he contacted Joseph Rivera's mother because the child was ill. Rubio drove the boy to his mother, who was at work at Mandalay Bay, passing several hospitals along the way, authorities said. The boy was eventually taken to the hospital where he died.
Investigators determined the child died from a recent severe blow to his abdomen and arrested Rubio.
Rubio will be sentenced Nov. 5 by Judge Donald Mosley.
