Woman pleads guilty to lesser charge in murder case for teen with autism

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A woman charged in the death of a teenager with autism pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.

Julie Brewington, who was originally arrested on a charge of murder in the death of a 15-year-old boy, pleaded guilty Thursday to a lesser charge of offense of injury to child by omission.

Brewington signed a cooperation agreement, where she has agreed to "fully and truthfully" debrief with law enforcement regarding she and her common-law husband, Mauricio Noe Garza's, relationship, behaviors and crimes regarding the case.

_{Julie Alexandria Brewington and Noe Garza (Brownsville PD)}

Mauricio had custody of the teenager at the time of his death and Brewington was the victim's aunt.

On Oct. 17, 2022, the couple was arrested and charged with murdering the teenager after police found him dead at 4 a.m. at a residence located at the 300 block of Center Drive. An indictment later revealed the couple allegedly tied the 15 year old to a mattress with a dog collar and rope.

Both Mauricio and Brewington were charged with injury to a child.

A few weeks later, a third arrest was made in connection to the death of the teenager.

Rebecca Garza was arrested on charges of failure to report a felony, a class A misdemeanor, according to the Brownsville Police Department.

Rebecca Garza (Brownsville Police Department)

Rebecca is the mother of Mauricio and was at the location at the time of the teen’s death.

Investigators at the time suspected foul play was involved in the boy's death.

“We believe she was not participating in the murder,” Sandoval said. “But, she had knowledge something was going on and she failed to report it to police.”

Brewington's punishment or sentencing is scheduled for September 19.