A 28-year-old man in California has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 35 years, after pleading guilty to brutally torturing and killing his 23-month-old son, authorities announced.
Defendant and Charges
Ezequiel Ramirez pleaded guilty to first-degree murder with the special circumstance of torture in the death of his son, Joziah Ramirez. In addition, Ramirez admitted to seven felony counts involving pimping, pandering, and soliciting for prostitution.
According to the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office, Ramirez impregnated Joziah’s mother when she was 15 years old, while he was about 20. At the time, he was on parole for robbery and statutory rape and was prohibited from contacting her or Joziah. Despite this, Ramirez maintained contact with both.
Criminal Enterprise and Prostitution
Authorities allege that Ramirez later “pimped out” Joziah’s mother, now 18, and at least one other woman in Tulare and Fresno counties. His criminal enterprise involved coercing women into sex work while abusing his son.
Abuse of Joziah Ramirez
Throughout the summer of 2020, Joziah was allegedly subjected to regular verbal and physical abuse. The child’s mother told police that Ramirez would lift his son by his hair.
On June 5, 2020, the family was staying at a hotel in Visalia, California, continuing Ramirez’s prostitution operation.
While Joziah’s mother was away, Ramirez allegedly severely abused the child. When the mother returned, she found Joziah unresponsive with blood on the bedding.
Ramirez reportedly told her he had only kicked the boy in the stomach and forbade her from calling an ambulance.
He then contacted a family friend, falsely claiming that the child had fallen down the stairs. Ramirez deleted information from the mother’s phone and fled the scene. Later that night, he sent messages to the boy’s mother, including “I’m gone,” “I’ll never see u again,” and “I’m so sorry.”
Emergency Response and Death
Police and emergency services arrived at the hotel around 11 p.m., minutes after Ramirez had fled. Joziah was rushed to a nearby medical centre and then airlifted to a hospital, but he was pronounced brain-dead and died on June 9, 2020.
Extent of Injuries
The District Attorney’s Office stated that Joziah suffered extensive, non-accidental trauma, including:
- Fractures to both sides of the skull
- Brain swelling and bleeding
- Fractures to both sides of the ribcage
- Bruises, burns, and abrasions on the limbs, torso, and genitals
Medical investigators concluded that the injuries were consistent with being struck, shaken, thrown, kicked, and burned. Joziah’s cause of death was ruled blunt force trauma to the head.
Ramirez’s Flight and Capture
After fleeing, Ramirez called a friend claiming he had been in a car crash. While staying with the friend in Fresno, he reportedly repeated, “I didn’t have to do it,” multiple times. Ramirez left behind a duffel bag with blood-stained clothing.
He evaded authorities for four days, continuing to recruit women for his prostitution operation. Ramirez was apprehended on June 9, 2020. Initially, he denied involvement, but when confronted with evidence, he admitted he had been present while downplaying the severity of his abuse.
Statements from Authorities
Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward said:
“The brutality and callousness of the defendant stand in stark contrast to the innocence and vulnerability of this toddler, whose body was bloodied, burned, bruised, and broken by the very person who should have been his protector and caregiver.”
Mother’s Role and Sentencing
Joziah’s mother was charged as a co-defendant for failing to protect her son and pleaded guilty to felony child endangerment in 2021. She is scheduled to be sentenced on June 17, 2026, with a maximum penalty of six years.
Remembering Joziah
Authorities described Joziah as an almost potty-trained, smart and active toddler, whose life was tragically cut short by his father’s abuse.
