San Antonio mother to be sentenced for death of 5-year-old daughter
San Antonio, Texas – A mother faces justice this week after being found guilty of the death of her five-year-old daughter. The case has sparked outrage and sadness throughout the community, which is still trying to understand how such a tragic outcome could have happened.
María del Carmen López , 28, will be sentenced in the coming days for the murder of her daughter, Sofía , who died in circumstances that police described as “alarming and deeply disturbing.” The jury found her guilty after weeks of trial in which shocking evidence was presented.
According to the forensic report, little Sofia died from a combination of severe malnutrition, multiple untreated wounds, and clear signs of ongoing physical abuse . Police found the girl’s body in the apartment where she lived with her mother, in conditions they described as “inhumane.” The child had not received medical attention in months and showed signs of extreme neglect.
During the trial, witnesses testified that the mother avoided contact with neighbors and relatives and kept the child isolated. A social worker testified that she had attempted to visit the home after receiving an anonymous report, but was denied entry.
The prosecution presented text messages, photos, and testimony demonstrating that María del Carmen had ignored her daughter’s basic needs for months. “It was not an accident. It was a chain of negligence, cruel decisions, and omissions that ended the life of an innocent child,” declared the lead prosecutor in the case.
The defense, for its part, attempted to argue that the mother suffered from undiagnosed mental disorders and lived in extreme poverty, which would have affected her ability to provide care. However, the jury determined that her actions—or lack thereof—demonstrated a clear intent to abandon .
The San Antonio community has not remained indifferent. Vigils have been held in memory of the girl, and messages circulating on social media demanding justice and greater attention to child protection systems have emerged. The case has sparked a debate about the shortcomings of the social assistance network and the need to strengthen preventive measures to avoid similar tragedies.
Sentencing is scheduled for this Friday. María del Carmen López could face life in prison without the possibility of parole , depending on the judge’s ruling. Meanwhile, the city prepares to close a painful chapter, hoping that Sofía’s memory will serve as an urgent call to protect the most vulnerable.
“She just wanted to live, play, and be loved,” said one of the volunteers who attended the funeral. “And she was ignored by everyone, until it was too late.”