Jose Ruiz is one of two people charged in the death of 5-year-old Mercedes Losoya. The girl's mother, Katrina Mendoza, is also charged in the case. Ruiz, who is Mendoza's boyfriend, is accused of extreme physical abuse of Mercedes in February 2022. The arrest affidavit stated that the girl had 'visible bruises, scratches, cuts and swelling on almost every visible part of her body'. Mendoza has since agreed to a plea deal in exchange for her testimony against Ruiz, but hasn't officially been sentenced yet. If found guilty, Ruiz faces 5 to 99 years or life in prison.