CALDWELL MAN SENTENCED TO 60 YEARS FOR CONTINUOUS SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG CHILD
A Caldwell man has been given 60 years in prison for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Young Child.
(Burleson Co. Jail)
39-year-old Aurelio Hernandez-Cruz was sentenced Monday afternoon, after he was convicted by a Burleson County jury on June 7th. Conviction for this offense makes him ineligible for parole.
Hernandez-Cruz was indicted last April on the charges, after an investigation by Caldwell police. The report of abuse was made in Travis County, so Austin police initially began the investigation, but the case was referred to Caldwell once it was discovered the abuse occurred in Burleson County.
The victim was 11-years-old at the time the abuse was reported, and described regularly occurring sexual abuse since age 7 at the hands of Hernandez-Cruz. The victim, now 13, testified during proceedings along with two former foster parents, law enforcement, and a forensic nurse.
Judge Carson Campbell presided over the trial and the sentencing hearing. Assistant District Attorneys Lauren Haevischer and John Brennan represented the State at trial, and Trey Dunne and Bruno Shimek represented the Defendant.
District Attorney Julie Renken said this sentence will not repair the damage done by Hernandez-Cruz, but she hopes the victim “can take comfort in knowing her voice was finally heard”.