'What kind of monster are you?' California parents get prison in 4-year-old son's death

The parents of a 4-year-old who believed to have been been tortured and killed in Southern California were sentenced to decades in prison on Tuesday

A judge sentenced the father, Jose Maria Cuatro Jr., to 32 years to life in prison while the mother, Ursula Elaine Juarez, got 22 years, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office told USA TODAY.

Cuatro, 32, pleaded no contest last month to the first-degree murder and torture of 4-year-old Noah Cuatro. Juarez, 30, pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and torture, according to KABC-TV. The parents both waived their right to appeal as part of the plea agreement.

"Today’s sentencing is another step towards achieving justice for Noah Cuatro," Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said in a statement Tuesday. "I am hopeful today's sentencing will help his surviving siblings, grandmother, and family members heal and find some peace. Little Noah's memory will be in my heart and mind forever."

Barger added that life sentences without the possibility of parole would have been more appropriate for the parents but that she respects the judicial process.

Noah's death first reported as a drowning

The parents reported the boy's death as a drowning at their family pool on July 5 in the high desert city of Palmdale, about 50 miles north of Los Angeles, KNBC-TV reported. He was taken to the Palmdale Regional Medical Center and later the Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where he was pronounced dead the following day.

A week later then-Sheriff Alex Villanueva announced an investigation into Noah's death and said that the child lived with his parents and three siblings, who were taken into protective custody, the station reported.

Evangelina Hernandez, Noah's great-grandmother, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Los Angeles County, alleging that the boy died after several reports of abuse were made to the Department of Children and Family Services.

USA TODAY has reached out to Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services for comment on the accusations.

'Never forget the monsters who took him away from us'

"Why, my God, why is there such evil in you, Ursula? What kind of monster are you, Jose?" Hernandez asked the defendants in court, according to KABC. "You're both very sick. You are the worst kind of sickos."

Noah's great aunt Maggie Hernandez said the memories she had of Noah have been replaced by thoughts of his cruel treatment at the hands of his parents, the station reported. She said that Juarez pretended to be a good mother "while abusing Noah behind closed doors."

"I will never forget him and I will never forget the monsters who took him away from us," she said.

State Assemblyman Tom Lackey told the judge that it's crucial to honor the victim by never forgetting about him and those who failed him, the station reported.

"It deserves to be noted that the tragedy of Noah Cuatro has been and will continue to be felt far beyond these courtroom walls," he said. "Noah was not only betrayed by his parents, who are sitting here today, but the network established to protect children from mistreatment also failed."