KERN COUNTY, Calif. — On Tuesday, a Kern County Jury returned a verdict finding defendant Eddie Leyva guilty of second-degree murder of a three-month-old girl, Adenalie Leyva.
On October 30, 2014, three-month-old Adenalie Leyva was found dead at an apartment on L Street. She had been dead for several hours and had suffered more than sixteen rib fractures, bacterial pneumonia, a massive kidney infection, and sepsis.
Adenalie was also severely malnourished and dehydrated.
Medical personnel determined that Adenalie suffered these injuries over a span of two weeks. Adenalie's parents, Vanessa Wolfe and Eddie Leyva, were charged with causing the direct injuries to Adenalie as well as allowing Adenalie to suffer for weeks while doing nothing to help or care for her. Had Leyva and Wolfe taken Adenalie for medical care, it is likely that she would have survived even the extensive injuries she had suffered.
A trial was conducted against both Eddie Leyva and Vanessa Wolfe that began on October 17, 2019, where two separate juries heard evidence on the case. On November 15, 2019, one jury considering charges regarding Vanessa Wolfe returned guilty verdicts for second-degree murder and assault causing the death of Adenalie.
On November 21, 2019, a mistrial was declared by Judge Charles Brehmer in regard to the second jury, which was deliberating on the charges related to Eddie Leyva.
The mistrial was declared as a result of some members of the jury considering information beyond the evidence presented during the trial.
On Sept. 3, the retrial against Eddie Leyva began, and on Sept. 29, the jury returned with a verdict finding Eddie Leyva guilty of second-degree murder.
Leyva faces a potential sentence of 15 years-to-life in prison as a result of the conviction. Sentencing is scheduled for October 26.
