The cause and manner of death of the 5-year-old boy, who was allegedly killed by his mother’s boyfriend, are unclear, according to experts

SAN ANTONIO – A medical examiner and a forensic anthropologist testified Friday that they could not determine the cause or manner of death of a 5-year-old boy who was allegedly killed by his mother’s boyfriend.

Domenic Aguilar-Acevedo died in a San Antonio hotel in July 2021. His remains were found a month later in a Colorado ravine.

According to Domenic’s mother Nickolle Aguilar, her boyfriend Daniel Garcia abused Domenic until his death. Garcia is on trial for aggravated assault on a child.

Because Domenic’s remains were already in a decomposed state when they were found, a Colorado coroner could not determine the cause or manner of death.

The remains were then sent to an FBI forensic anthropologist who examined the bones more closely. Anthropologist Angie Christensen told the jury she found fractures in Domenic’s jaw, shoulder blade, ribs and hip.

Christensen assumed that the healing process of the bones had already begun before Domenic’s death, but could not give an exact time or determine the cause or manner of death.

Garcia has been in court all week and the defense is convinced that Aguilar was the one who abused Domenic.

The jury will decide on guilt or innocence next week.

If convicted, Garcia could face a maximum sentence of up to life in prison.

Testimony will continue Tuesday morning in 226th District Court.

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