Man pleads guilty to striking late teen who was tied to bed with dog collar

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man has pleaded guilty to his charges in connection with the death of a 15-year-old boy with autism who was at one point tied to a mattress with a dog collar and rope.

As previously reported by ValleyCentral, Mauricio Noe Garza, the common law husband of Julie Brewington, is accused of striking the teenager ultimately leading to his death.

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

On Monday, Garza pleaded guilty to his charges of injury to a disabled person with intent to cause serious bodily injury, a first-degree felony.

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

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.

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.

“Cameron Brewington endured unspeakable suffering at the hands of someone who was supposed to protect him,” said Cameron County District Attorney Luis V. Saenz. “Today’s sentence ensures that the man responsible for his suffering and death will be held fully accountable under Texas law.”

Julie, the victim's aunt, is scheduled for sentencing later this week. A third suspect in the case, Rebecca Garza, was charged with failure to report a felony has had her charges dismissed.