Two women have been sentenced to life imprisonment in Argentina for the murder of a fiveyearold boy, the son of one of them, according to a court verdict released today.
Lucio Dupuy died on November 26, 2021 in La Pampa, about 500 km east of Buenos Aires after being rushed to hospital with multiple injuries under the women’s care.
The mother, Magdalena Espósito Valenti, 26, was convicted of triplequalified murder under the aggravating factors of treason and cruelty. His partner Abigail Páez, 28, was found guilty of the child’s murder and sexual abuse.
The sentencing was announced on February 2, but the verdicts had not yet been announced.
“It’s a life sentence, you have no chance of release; they cannot ask for parole after a certain period of time,” prosecutor Verónica Ferrero told the press.
Life imprisonment is the maximum penalty provided by Argentine law.
The verdict not only revealed the details of the child’s abuse, but also sparked controversy over the custody system for children of separated parents, as the victim’s father had unsuccessfully applied for custody of the child on multiple occasions.
The La Pampa family judge, who subsequently ruled to award custody of the mother, was denounced for failing to oversee the victim’s situation.