The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has approved a significant settlement of $20 million with the family of Noah Cuatro, a 4-year-old boy from Palmdale who suffered a tragic fate at the hands of his parents.
Noah was reported drowned by his parents in July 2019. However, upon his arrival at Palmdale Regional Medical Center, medical personnel raised concerns over the true nature of his injuries, leading to an investigation into his death. Subsequently, Noah was transferred to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where he ultimately passed away.
Before Noah’s untimely death, several reports had been filed with the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) regarding suspected abuse. A notable 26-page petition submitted by a caseworker sought to remove Noah from his home, which a judge approved. Shockingly, Noah was never taken from his parents’ custody.
In July 2020, Noah’s great-grandmother, Evangelina Hernandez, initiated a wrongful death lawsuit against DCFS to seek justice for Noah and protect his surviving siblings, aged 5 and 11. Hernandez claimed that the agency’s negligence in enforcing the judge’s order to remove Noah contributed to his tragic fate. Her attorneys argue that Noah’s murder could have been prevented.
Furthermore, the lawsuit accused DCFS social workers of intimidation, asserting they threatened to cut off Hernandez’s access to her surviving great-grandchildren if she spoke out about Noah’s case.
In April 2024, significant legal proceedings culminated in the sentencing of Noah’s parents for their roles in his death. Ursula Elaine Juarez received 22 years to life in prison for pleading no contest to charges of second-degree murder and torture, while Jose Maria Cuatro Jr. was sentenced to 32 years to life after pleading no contest to first-degree murder and torture.
This outcome follows new revelations in 2023 regarding abuse endured not just by Noah, but also by his siblings. One sibling disclosed to their great-grandmother that they were forced to physically assault Noah, revealing systemic abuse within the family.
During a deposition in 2023, Lizbeth Hernandez Aviles, a county social worker, testified to the ongoing neglect and abuse experienced by Noah’s siblings. Aviles noted that concerns had been raised about domestic violence connected to the Cuatro household and recalled dismal living conditions, with the children lacking normal sleeping arrangements and the home described as cluttered and filthy, emitting foul odors.
After the settlement announcement, L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger expressed the gravity of Noah Cuatro’s death, calling it a heartbreaking tragedy. In her statement, she emphasized that while nothing can undo the harm inflicted, the settlement offers some assistance to Noah’s surviving family. Barger highlighted Noah’s enduring legacy, stating, “he will not be forgotten” and underscoring the importance of continuous scrutiny of child welfare cases.
More importantly, Hernandez and Noah’s family aim to turn their grief into action by advocating for a new state law named after Noah. They are collaborating with lawmakers to establish a three-person panel dedicated to reviewing cases to determine when children should be removed from unsafe environments.
Hernandez made it clear that her motivations extend beyond financial compensation; she seeks systemic changes to ensure that Noah’s story leads to meaningful reforms in child welfare practices.
image source from：lamag
