California Mother Sentenced to Life for Murder and Torture of 10-Year-Old Son, Anthony Avalos.

A California mother, Heather Maxine Barron, has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder and torture of her 10-year-old son, Anthony Avalos, who suffered years of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. Barron's boyfriend, Kareem Ernesto Leiva, was also sentenced to life in prison. The couple had faced the death penalty, but the Los Angeles District Attorney's office no longer seeks capital punishment. Both Barron and Leiva were denied probation and ordered to pay $7,500 each in victim's compensation funds. Anthony's family members offered tearful victim impact statements during the emotional sentence hearing.