Jose Ruiz Trial Day One **Viewer Discretion Advised**

***This trial involved alleged child abuse. Some of the testimony may be graphic and tough to listen to.***

Jose Ruiz is on trial for the death of 5-year-old Mercedes Losoya in 2022.

Ruiz is one of two people charged in the death of Mercedes. The girl’s mother, Katrina Mendoza, is also charged in the case.

In February 2022, Mendoza took Mercedes to a hospital, who was unresponsive when she arrived. Mercedes later died from her injuries. The arrest affidavit stated she had “visible bruises, scratches, cuts and swelling on almost every visible part of her body.” Investigators said in the affidavit that the little girl suffered “extreme physical abuse and torture” for several weeks. Ruiz and Mendoza were later charged with injury to a child - serious bodily injury. Months later they were both indicted on 13 counts of injury to a child.

Mendoza last year took a plea deal in exchange for her testimony and is facing a maximum punishment of 45 years in prison.

Some have called this case one of the most horrific Bexar County has ever seen.