Man sentenced in death of girlfriend’s 3-year-old son
A Las Vegas man who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder by child neglect for failing to seek prompt medical treatment for his girlfriend's ailing 3-year-old son in June 2005 was sentenced to 10 to 25 years in prison today.
Jose Luis Rubio agreed to the plea in August, while jury selection for his trial was under way. Rubio was originally charged with first-degree murder by child abuse, which carries a minimum of 20 years in prison.
Authorities said Rubio was caring for Joseph Rivera on June 13, 2005, when he contacted the boy'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 a hospital, where he died.
Investigators determined the child died from a recent severe blow to his abdomen that ruptured his pancreas.
Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.
