Noah Cuatro’s parents plead not guilty to charges of murder, torture in boy’s death

LOS ANGELES - The parents of a 4-year-old Palmdale boy, who claimed their son drowned, pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges of murder and torture in connection with his death.

Palmdale residents Jose Maria Cuatro Jr., 28, and Ursula Elaine Juarez, 25, were charged in September in the death of 4-year-old Noah Cuatro.

Noah's parents reported a near-drowning in their family pool in the 1200 block of East Avenue S around 4 p.m. July 5, but medical professionals observed the trauma from his body was not consistent with drowning.

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Noah's death was officially ruled a homicide on September 24 by the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office. Two days later, Cuatro and Juarez were arrested and booked into the Palmdale Sheriff's Station.

The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Cuatro and Juarez are due back in court on April 7, 2020.