A Superior Court jury found a Santa Barbara man guilty of first-degree murder and assault in the death of a 3-year-old girl on Wednesday after deliberating for less than a day.
Elvis Alberto Lopez, 27, was charged with murder, assault on a child causing death, and corporal injury to a child related to the death of Mila Solis.
Lopez was dating Mila’s mother, Stephaney Valladares, and was babysitting at the time of the girl’s death. Mila died of internal injuries from a severed spine in February 2023.
Prosecutors presented evidence that the death was the result of a deliberate injury after months of physical abuse, while the defense argued that the girl fell from a bed while she and Lopez were sleeping.
Attorneys delivered closing arguments in court Tuesday, and the jury returned with a verdict Wednesday afternoon.
Jurors found Lopez guilty of all six criminal counts. He is being held in jail custody, and will return to court Dec. 4 for sentencing.
He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
In a statement after the trial, Chief Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Karapetian thanked the jury.
“We are deeply grateful for the jurors’ careful attention and service,” Karapetian said. “This was an emotionally difficult and disturbing case, yet they remained committed to hearing the testimony and reviewing the evidence to reach a just verdict.
“Mila was a bright, loving little girl, full of life and promise. While nothing can bring her back, this verdict ensures the defendant is held accountable for the violent actions that ended her life.”
