The biological parents of a 10-year-old who died under the care of his adoptive parents in Moreno Valley are demanding answers after learning about their son’s death nearly a month later.
Jesse Valbuena and Carol Falcon, biological parents to Jesse Valbuena, set up a memorial Saturday outside the 10-year-old’s home after finding out about the harrowing news three days ago.
The biological parents last saw Valbuena three years ago when they lost custody of him. Falcon says the 10-year-old had been living with his adoptive parents for four years, along with a younger brother.
During that time, they had no contact with the children, according to Falcon.
“He was a happy child. He was a very energetic kid that could not be still. He liked having fun,” said Falcon, describing her 10-year-old Jesse.
Riverside County deputies responded to a report of a child in need of medical aid on Nov. 21 to the 13000 block of Malibu Court in Moreno Valley. Authorities found Jesse in “medical distress” and transported him to a hospital where he died hours later.
Authorities arrested 51-year-old Alejandra Marin and 59-year-old Juan Sanchez Moreno on suspicion of murder, torture and child abuse.
“I failed them. I failed them, you know,” said an emotional Valbuena. “Why would they treat him like that? He was a good kid, man.”
For Jesse’s biological family, the memorial is an expression of their grief and a tribute to their son.