Alvara Duarte is charged with first-degree murder and child abuse for the death of 3-year-old Alisandra Oliviana Romero.

In Maricopa County, charges have been file against Alvara Duarte for first-degree murder and child abuse for the death of 3-year-old Alisandra Oliviana Romero.  News stories report that the older brother of Alisandra told police that he saw Duarte stomp on the little girl’s chest. On November 25, 2008 the grand jury indicted the Mr. Duarte on charges of first degree murder and child abuse. The Deputy County Attorney’s office feels that the violent nature of the child’s death warrants a first degree murder charge.  

Well adjusted parenting styles are learned behaviors. Good parenting is not instinctual. Abusive adults are generally grown abused children with poor coping skills. The likelihood of being an abuser increases significantly if an individual was abused as a child. While women are more likely and more frequently to be the abusers, men abuse more severely and are more likely to be sexual abusers. Children under the age of three years old are the most likely victims of abuse, because the toddler stage is a very trying time for parents. Parents/caregivers with unrealistic expectations and poor coping skills are most at risk for engaging in abusive behavior.