Minnesota Man Sentenced for Toddler's Murder

Austin Navarro, a 26-year-old man from Albert Lea, Minnesota, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the second-degree murder of his then-girlfriend's 2-year-old child and for third-degree assault of his 12-week-old son. The court found aggravating factors justifying a sentence longer than the state guidelines, including Navarro's position of authority over the victims and the particularly cruel nature of the assault. On July 6, 2023, Navarro admitted to punching and kicking both children, resulting in the toddler's death from blunt force injuries and significant injuries to the infant. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison expressed hope that the conviction would provide some solace to the victims' families, emphasizing the ongoing commitment to public safety. The judge noted a troubling pattern of Navarro's failure to seek help in the past for issues related to substance abuse and domestic violence. Navarro's plea agreement was reached prior to sentencing, reflecting the severity of the case.