Willacy County, TX (KRGV) — An appeals court rejected the appeal of a Willacy County man convicted in the death of a 13-year-old boy, records show.

Ruben Gonzalez was sentenced to 30 years in prison in August 2024 on charges of criminally negligent homicide and injury to a child in connection with the death of Jesse Harrison Jr.

A June 25, 2026, filing from the Texas 13th Court of Appeals rejected Gonzalez’s appeal.

“The Thirteenth Court of Appeals, having considered this cause on appeal, concludes that the judgment of the trial court should be affirmed. The court orders the judgment of the trial court affirmed,” the court filing said.

The 13-year-old boy arrived at a hospital in 2021 with breathing complications and died a few days later. An indictment says Gonzalez and two other suspects beat and starved him before he died. 

READ MORE: Indictment reveals gruesome details in death of 13-year-old Willacy County boy

Court documents state Harrison’s injuries included a fractured finger, a broken arm, and bruised genitalia.

Sabrina Loredo, the boy’s mother, and Antonia Gonzalez, the boy’s grandmother, were the other suspects convicted in Harrison’s death.

Gonzalez was identified as the boyfriend of the boy's grandmother.

Loredo pleaded guilty to manslaughter and four counts of injury to a child and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Antonia Gonzalez, the boy's grandmother, was convicted of murder and three counts of injury to a child and sentenced to 45 years in prison.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Ruben Gonzalez sentenced to 30 years in death of Willacy County teen
• Willacy County woman found guilty in grandson’s murder
• Mother pleads guilty in connection with 13-year-old son's death in Willacy County