SAN ANTONIO — The mother of a 5-year-old girl who allegedly was abused to death in 2022 testified against her ex-boyfriend, who faces up to life in prison.
Day three of the Jose Ruiz trial introduced Katrina Mendoza to the stand, who described an extensive history of abuse against her daughter Mercedes Losoya.
Ruiz and Mendoza were charged with assault, intentionally or knowingly causing serious bodily injury to a child, following the death of Losoya who was taken to a southside hospital unresponsive in February 2022.
Investigators discovered bruises, cuts, and hair missing from Losoya’s body, which officials indicated were signs of extreme and torturous abuse.
Mendoza accepted a plea deal in Losoya’s death last August. The deal capped her possible time in prison at 45 years and required her to testify in Ruiz’s trial.
During Thursday’s court proceedings, Mendoza initially couldn’t recall the year her daughter died. Mendoza said Jordan Losoya is her favorite child while stressing she loved Mercedes, but that their bond "wasn’t as strong."
Mendoza said she spanked her younger daughter whenever she was disobedient. She also punished Losoya by isolating her in a closet several times, a method of discipline shared by Ruiz.
Mendoza claimed Ruiz told her she wasn’t tough enough on Losoya when she acted up.
State attorneys presented several photos and videos displaying graphic methods of punishment and the injuries Losoya endured.
Law enforcement extracted the images from Ruiz’s cell phone. The images were taken just a few weeks before Losoya died. Mendoza said there was an open Child Protective Case surrounding Losoya during this period.
Mendoza failed to recall when specific instances of alleged abuse took place.
“He would sleep deprive her, he would pull Mercedes' hair and cover her mouth and nose,” Mendoza said. “When Mercedes was in timeout, she’ll be on her knees and she would get tired of being on her knees, so she’ll put her butt on her legs and in order for her to stop doing that, Jose put thumbtacks in her feet.”
Mendoza testified Ruiz refused to stop punishing Losoya in such an extreme manner, leading to visible injuries all over her body.
Mendoza said Ruiz would also apply thumbtacks to her buttocks as a form of punishment. Mendoza said Ruiz used a Ring camera to monitor Losoya in seclusion for hours. She said Ruiz tied her hands to a pole in an effort to keep them in position for hours at a time.
Mendoza noted Ruiz would force Losoya on the ground as he mopped up her urine, dragging her along.
One photo showed dog feces smeared on Losoya’s face. Mendoza said Ruiz was responsible for this action.
State prosecutors presented a video from Ruiz's phone that revealed Losoya crying in pain while in the back of a car being ordered by Ruiz to hold up what appeared to be a jug.
Mendoza said Ruiz bought cooling and heating pads, bandages and creams to help heal Losoya's injuries.
On Wednesday, the jury listened to an interview between Ruiz and a San Antonio police detective where the defendant repeatedly denied taking part in abusing Losoya.
The trial of Jose Ruiz resumes at 9 a.m. on Friday.