An 11-year-old girl in Avondale, Arizona, called 911 after witnessing her mother being assaulted by her mother’s ex-boyfriend, according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. The incident occurred in October 2023.
Brandon Ramos Valenzuela, 26, was sentenced to eight years and nine months in prison following his guilty plea to charges of child abuse, domestic violence, and aggravated assault. In addition to the prison sentence, Valenzuela received a lifetime of supervised probation.
Authorities reported that the girl woke up to Valenzuela yelling at her mother. When she tried to get help, prosecutors said Valenzuela “covered her face,” making it difficult for her to breathe. He eventually released her and fled the scene. The girl then called emergency services.
Police arrived at the home and found the woman “lying in a pool of blood” with head injuries and facial bruises. She was taken to a hospital where she was treated for a skull fracture and multiple brain bleeds.
“This 11-year-old showed incredible courage during what could easily have been a deadly situation,” County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in the release.
Avondale is located about 20 miles west of Phoenix.
