Grandmother of starved boy sentenced to 45 years, files motion for appeal

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The grandmother of a boy who was allegedly starved to death appeared in court Monday after being found guilty on all counts last month.

Antonia Gonzalez was found guilty on one count of murder and four counts of injury to a child in connection to the death of Jesse Harrison Jr., her grandson.

The case, originally out of Willacy County, was transferred to the Cameron County criminal court District 197.

Her trial began Jan. 9.

On Jan. 16, she was sentenced to 45 years each on the murder charge and the first count of injury to a child. Additionally, Antonia was ordered to serve two years for count three of injury to a child and 20 years each for counts three and four of injury to a child with a fine of $10,000 for each count.

Her time will run concurrently.

Cameron County records indicate that Antonia went before judge Adolfo Cordova Monday morning to request a court appointed attorney to appeal the courts ruling.

She is accompanied on the indictment by Sabrina Lynn Loredo and Ruben Gonzalez, the boy’s guardians. The indictments against the trio accuse them of causing Harrison’s death by failing to provide adequate medical care and restricting his food, water and nutritional intake.

The documents reference several injuries allegedly caused by the group, including broken fingers, a broken arm, bruised genitalia and anus “by manners unknown to the grand jury.”

Background on the case

The 13-year-old boy died Jan. 23, 2021 two days after the Willacy County Sheriff’s Office received a phone call from the Valley Baptist Medical Center informing of a possible sexual assault of a young boy. Investigators met with medical personnel and launched an investigation.

They then drove to the child’s home at 525 W. Main in Sebastian and Harrison was taken to the hospital where he spent his last days.

In August 2024, Ruben Gonzalez went to trial for his role in the teen’s death.

He was ultimately found guilty of criminally negligent homicide and injury to a child in connection to Harrison’s death. He was sentenced to 30 years.

ValleyCentral will continue to follow Antonia’s trail and will provide updates as they become available.

Steven Masso contributed to this report.