In Texas, a 23-year-old father of five was sentenced to six years in prison for severely beating his two-year-old son because he thought the toddler was gay.
Francisco Ricardo Sotello Baez was charged with family violence and assault after admitting to striking his young son in the face multiple times, causing him to bleed from the nose.
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The father even told the son he had a month to prove he’s had sex with a girl.
Judge Stephanie Boyd of the 187th District Court in Bexar County agreed with the prosecution’s recommendation for six years behind bars, citing previous incidents of domestic violence, including assaulting his son’s mother, which earlier earned Sotello Baez probation and court-mandated courses to address his violent behavior.
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Judge Boyd expressed disappointment those interventions had failed to modify the defendant’s conduct.
A police report and his testimony at sentencing revealed Sotello Baez’s actions toward his son were not an isolated incident. The father had repeatedly disciplined the child in an attempt to “toughen him up,” claiming he was concerned about the boy acting in a feminine manner.
Sotello Baez said the child preferred playing with Barbies and kitchen sets over the robots, cars, and soccer balls he had brought home for the boy.
He told the judge he was disappointed his first son might be gay.
Judge Boyd was visibly exasperated with the explanation.
“Basically, you beat up a two-year-old because you think your two-year-old is gay, and you wanna toughen up a two-year-old,” the judge said. “He’s two!”
The police report also indicated that Sotello Baez had texted the boy’s mother after he assaulted him, saying that he had done something to “your child” that she wasn’t going to like.
He explained to the court that both the child’s mother and grandmother had told him the boy might turn out to be gay.
His defense attorney argued for leniency, noting for the judge that Sotello Baez had pleaded no contest and was applying for deferred adjudication, a type of probation that would allow Sotello Baez to continue to provide for his family.
The state pushed the judge for a six-year prison sentence, noting the severity of the crime and the long-term impact on the child.
The dad addressed the court and expressed remorse, explaining he had a newborn to take care of and had been attending church to turn his life around. He also blamed his actions in part on drug and alcohol abuse, which he said impaired his judgment.
While handing out the six-year term, Judge Boyd issued several restrictions on Sotello Baez, barring him from contact with his son, any of his other children, and any minors during and after his incarceration. The judge also advised him not to illegally re-enter the country following his release. He is not a U.S. citizen.