Aunt sentenced in killing of Brownsville teen with autism

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The aunt of a boy with autism who died after being tied to a bed with a dog collar and rope entered a plea agreement to receive 10 years probation.

Julie Brewington accepted a plea agreement in connection to the killing of 15-year-old Cameron Brewington in 2022. Julie accepted the plea agreement Tuesday after pleading guilty in 2024.

Cameron was described by authorities as a nonverbal teen with autism who died while in the care of his aunt Julie and Garza.

Julie has been ordered to serve 180 days in Cameron County jail. However, she has already served 205 days and will receive credit for her sentencing. Julie was originally arrested on a charge of murder in the death of her nephew but pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of offense of injury to child/disabled by omission.

Julie's common-law husband, Mauricio Noe Garza, had custody of Cameron at the time of his death and pleaded guilty to his charges Monday.

Garza was accused of injury to a disabled person with intent to cause serious bodily injury, a first-degree felony. The guilty plea comes after the Brownsville Police Department’s investigation revealed that Garza bound Cameron’s wrists, ankles, and neck with rope and a dog collar, leaving him restrained to a mattress for extended periods of time.

Julie Alexandria Brewington and Noe Garza (Brownsville PD)

In addition to this, Garza also hit the teen causing severe blunt force trauma to his body and further exacerbating his injuries and accelerating his death, the Cameron County District Attorney’s office stated.

A medical examiner determined that Cameron died of organ failure caused by blunt force trauma and prolonged immobilization.

Garza was sentenced to 25 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.