County & District Attorney Press Releases All Archives (View Archived) Child Predator Receives Three Consecutive Life Sentences Violent Felon Sentenced to 40 Years for Domestic Abuse Las Vegas Predator Sentenced to Life for Human Trafficking Waxahachie Man Gets Life in Prison for Beating His Infant Daughter to Death Ellis County and District Attorney Ann Montgomery announced that Jose Sierra, 38, of Waxahachie, Texas, was sentenced to Life in prison for Injury to Child. On December 28, 2021, Sierra pulled up to the Ellis County Jail in downtown Waxahachie and flagged down two maintenance workers, stating that his baby was unresponsive. A worker called 911 and an ambulance arrived on the scene in less than a minute. A paramedic found the child unresponsive, limp, and cold to the touch. Despite life-saving efforts in the ambulance, paramedics were never able to get a cardiac rhythm. The child, seven-month-old Valeria Sierra, was pronounced dead at Baylor Scott and White Medical Center in Waxahachie. Emergency room personnel immediately grew suspicious upon examination of the infant as she had several bruises on her body and multiple broken bones in various stages of healing. An autopsy performed at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas revealed that Valeria had two healing broken clavicles, a healing fracture to the left femur, healing fractures to the left proximal tibia, and a refracture to a healing break of the left distal fibula. The child also had numerous bruises and hemorrhages to her head, face, neck, chin, shoulder, torso, right hand, and left leg. According to forensic pathologist Dr. Chester Gwin, Valeria’s body “could no longer fight and heal from these injuries.” In statements to the police, Sierra attempted to cast blame on the child’s mother, the child’s pediatrician, Valeria’s nieces, and nephews, and even on Valeria herself. He also gave explanations for the injuries, but his explanations did not match the medical evidence of the injuries or the level of force that caused Valeria’s injuries. The police investigation showed that the injuries to Valeria began shortly after Valeria’s mother went back to work—leaving Sierra, Valeria’s father, as the sole caregiver of the child when the mother was working. On September 28, 2023, the jury swiftly delivered a guilty verdict and sentenced Sierra to life in prison. Judge Cindy Ermatinger of the 443rd District Court, who presided over the trial, pronounced the sentence. Injury to a Child as charged in the indictment carries a sentencing range of 5 to 99 years or life in prison. The defendant was probation eligible. “The injuries this baby endured during her short life were despicable,” stated Montgomery. “The person who should have protected Valeria was, in fact, the perpetrator. Once again, an Ellis County jury showed that if you commit a crime and intentionally or knowingly hurt a child, there will be severe consequences. I am proud of the work by my office and the Waxahachie Police Department in bringing justice for Valeria.” Assistant County and District Attorneys James Zaleta and Sherry Roeder prosecuted the case, assisted by County and District Attorney Investigator Todd Woodruff. The case was investigated by Officer Elizabeth Glidewell, Detective Jill Turner, and retired Officer Michael McCorkle of the Waxahachie Police Department. The Ellis County and District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Dr. Suzanne Dakil, M.D., of the REACH Clinic at Children’s Health in Dallas for her assistance in the case and her expert testimony, as well as Emergency Room personnel at Baylor Scott and White Medical Center, Waxahachie. 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Wrap and DA Wilson work with school officials to keep schools safe Regino Salinas - February 5, 2018 Mitchell Anderson - October 19, 2017 Dennis Ray Avery - September 21, 2017 Amanda Kelso - September 6, 2017 Trenton Eugene Sinyard - August 21, 2017 Kevin Michael Coffey - February 21, 2017 Bryan Wayne Stewart - January 30, 2017 Daniel Hammons - January 12, 2017 Keith Wisakowsky - November 10, 2016 Curtis Diggs - October 17, 2016 Press Release 8-17-2016 Daubitz - July 25, 2016 Pornography and Sex Assault 6/30/2016 Kristi Barrett - 4/20/2016 Daniel Loredo - April 8, 2016 William Anderson - December 15, 2015 Daniel Hinojosa - November 9, 2015 Sophia Castillo - October 28, 2015 Harvey Searcy - October 20, 2015 Charles Attaway - April 27, 2015 Amy Reese - April 21, 2015 Ronald Combs - April 6, 2015 Jose DeJesus Maldonado, Jr. - February 20, 2014 Bill Windsor - Wanted Poster Sheena Armstrong - 11-24-2014 Child Abuser Sentenced to 45 Years Roberto Hernandez - September 30, 2014 Leonard Hennard - Wanted Posted Leonard Hennard - August 28, 2014 Sonny Tyrone Thompson - August 22, 2104 Jury Gives Man 8 Years for Running Wife Off of the Road Russell Robinson, Jr. - July 21, 2014 JOE ALVARADO-May 29, 2014 Alvarado pleads guilty to Murder and Tampering with Evidence David McKinley - April 11, 2014 Samuel Ortez - March 13, 2014 Hit and Run Driver Sentenced to 15 and 10 Years David Cornett - February 26, 2014 Sex Offender Sentenced to 50 Years County and District Attorney Press Release - January 24, 2104 Former Teacher Sentenced to 81 Years for Child Pornography First Assistant Designated Lee Auvenshine designated as First Assistant County & District Attorney Mahmod Qalawi - October 29, 2013 Qalawi sentenced to 5 years in shooting of wife. Archie Becks - September 27, 2013 Archie Becks was convicted and sentenced to 60 years for aggravated sexual assault of a child. County and District Press Release, Mason - August 16, 2013 On August 16, 2013, an Ellis County jury sentenced Ryan Keith Mason, 41, of Italy, to 68 years in prison after he was convicted of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. County & District Attorney Press Release, Lehman - August 16, 2013 Prosecutors asked the jury to find Lehman guilty of nine counts of animal cruelty and to sentence her to the maximum one year in jail. County & District Attorney Press Release August 6, 2013 Assualt Bodily Injury County and District Attorney Press Release August 1, 2013 Jury Sentences Career Drug Dealer to 80 and 20 Years.

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