A Santa Barbara man was sentenced last week to life in prison plus an additional eight years for the murder and assault of a 3-year-old child.
A Santa Barbara County Superior Court judge sentenced Elvis Lopez, 27, to life in a state prison without the possibility of parole for the death of Mila Solis, the daughter of his former girlfriend.
Judge Pauline Maxwell sentenced Lopez to life for the murder conviction and an aggregate of eight years for multiple charges of child abuse. The sentencing means that Lopez will never be eligible for release, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
A jury found Lopez guilty of murder, assault on a child causing death, and corporal injury to a child related in October.
The 3-year-old Mila died on Feb. 4, 2023, from internal injuries while Lopez was babysitting her, according to trial testimony. Lopez had begun dating Mila’s mother, Stephaney Valladares, in November 2022.
Prosecutors alleged that Lopez struck Mila after she refused to go down for a nap.
Emergency medical crews responded to the house and found Mila unresponsive. She was transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, where she died of her injuries, according to court testimony.
Lopez testified that Mila had fallen off a bed while they were sleeping.
According to testimony from Dr. Manual Montez, a pathologist with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Bureau, the injuries to the victim were similar as if she had fallen off a building or been in a car crash.
Witness testimony also presented evidence of sustained abuse of Mila at the hands of Lopez. Prosecutors presented evidence of bruises, cuts and other injuries that her father recorded.
“This was a horrific case involving the senseless death of a young child who deserved love and protection,” District Attorney John Savrnoch said in a statement. “I am grateful to the jury for their careful service and to the prosecution team for their unwavering commitment to justice.”
Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Karapetian led the prosecution in the case. In a statement, she thanked the jury and everyone else who helped build the case.
“This case affected everyone involved — from the family and jurors to the investigators, advocates and first responders,” Karapetian said. “While nothing can undo the harm or bring Mila back, this outcome ensures accountability and protects our community.”