Madera jury finds woman guilty of torture and abuse in the death of 12 year old daughter
A Madera County woman was convicted this week of first degree murder for the torture and death of her adopted 12 year old daughter.
The jury deliberated for about five days before finding Amy Chavoya, 46, guilty of killing her daughter, Mariah Flores. She was also found guilty of torturing her daughter and her brother. The trial took about 23 weeks, ending on Tuesday.
Chavoya faces the possibility of life in prison, said Sally Moreno, Madera County District Attorney.
Moreno thanked her prosecutor, senior deputy district attorney Traci Wise, for handling the difficult case. During the trial, evidence showed the daughter had been abused and tortured from July 1, 2010 up through Oct. 10, 2014, the day she died.
The victim’s brother also had to endure years of abuse and torture. Moreno said his abuse happened between July 1, 2010 and March 25, 2015.
“This was an emotionally excruciating case,” she said. “It was rough on everyone but now we look forward to the sentencing and put this chapter behind us to the extent we are able to.”
Chavoya is expected to be sentenced on April 3 in Madera County Superior Court.
During the initial phase of the investigation, police had also questioned Chavoya’s husband, Gerardo Flores, a San Joaquin County Sheriff’s deputy.
Moreno said Wednesday that no charges have been filed against Flores, who remains with the sheriff’s department.
