FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (TCN) — A 28-year-old man will spend the rest of his life in prison after being convicted of abusing and mistreating two young children and starving one of them to death.
The Arizona Daily Sun reports that a judge sentenced Anthony Jose Martinez to life in prison for first-degree murder, two counts of child abuse in the death of Deshaun Martinez and the harm to other children, and 68 years in prison for two counts of kidnapping. The sentences will run consecutively.
Martinez was convicted on the charges in May, and the child's mother, Elizabeth Archibek, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and child abuse in May 2023. She is currently serving a life sentence in prison.
On March 2, 2020, just after 12:30 p.m., Flagstaff Police Department officers responded to a home on North Monte Vista Drive after receiving a call about an unresponsive 6-year-old boy. Officers assisted the boy until medical personnel arrived, but they were unable to revive him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police began investigating Deshaun Martinez's death, noting that his appearance did not match his age. He was malnourished. Flagstaff police said there were “no obvious signs of trauma” on the child, but Anthony Martinez and Archibek reportedly confessed to police that they locked Deshaun Martinez and his 7-year-old brother in a bedroom closet without food. The brother also appeared to be malnourished, according to police.
The parents claimed that they locked the children in a closet because “they would sneak out and steal food while the parents were asleep.”
They say they were kept in the closet for about a month.
According to WSAZ-TV, DeShawn Martinez weighed 18 pounds at the time of his death.
Flagstaff police said the boys’ grandmother, Ann Marie Martinez, “admitted that she knew the boys were being held captive and that she disciplined them when they stole food.” The Arizona Daily Sun reported that Ann Marie Martinez pleaded guilty last week to a lesser charge and is likely to be sentenced to 10 to 25 years in prison.
Other children in the home were turned over to the Department of Child Safety.
According to the Arizona Daily Sun, Coconino County Chief Prosecutor Michael Tunick likened the actions of Deshaun Martinez and his brother to those of concentration camp victims.
Martinez said in a statement through his attorney, “I want to start by apologizing to my children for everything I put you through. I love you very much. I'm sorry I haven't been the father you deserved. I wish I could turn things around and do the right thing and protect you from all of this.”
The note continued: “I am not asking for forgiveness for my actions. I only hope that one day I can make things right in whatever way possible.”
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