Florence, AZ – A Pinal County jury on Thursday, July 26, 2012 found Jose Lopez, 26, guilty of first degree murder and child abuse for the 2007 murder of 21-month-old Mia Alvarez.
Lopez fled prior to the end of trial and his whereabouts are unknown. A warrant for his arrest was issued by Pinal County Superior Court. The authorities are attempting to locate him. The public is encouraged to contact the US Marshal’s Office or the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office with any information of his whereabouts.
“Lopez committed a horrible crime. Justice was served,” said Pinal County Attorney James P. Walsh. “I want to offer my condolences to the mother Ms. Priscilla Hernandez for her loss.”
Lopez was babysitting for his fiancée 21-month-old Mia Alvarez and her siblings in Arizona City, July 4, 2007. The mother, Ms. Priscilla Hernandez, was at work at the time and Lopez was the sole caretaker of the children. Lopez injured Mia very seriously. She died of those injuries on July 7, 2007 at St. Joseph's hospital in Phoenix.
The sentence for 1st degree murder of a very young child is 35 years and the presumptive term for child abuse in this case is 17 years in prison, which must be served consecutive to the murder sentence.
Sentencing will take place in the Pinal County Superior Court in Florence once Lopez is captured.
Chief Trial Counsel Pinal County Attorney’s Office Sylvia Lafferty prosecuted the case for the state.
Contact information:
U.S. Marshal’s Office: 602 382 8768
Pinal County Sheriff’s Office: 1 800 420 8689 or 911
For more information call Kostas Kalaitzidis at 520 866 6699 or 520 709 1333 or email at Kostas.kalaitzidis@pinalcountyaz.gov