FATHER SENTENCED TO LIFE IN DEATH BY TORTURE CASE OF 4-YEAR OLD SON, MOTHER TO SERVE TWO YEARS

Man Claimed Child Was the ‘Devil, Blamed Injuries on Victim

Atlanta- A man convicted last month of viciously beating his young son to death was sentenced to life in prison this morning in a hearing before Fulton County Superior Court Judge Kimberly Esmond Adams. Jurors returned guilty verdicts against Marcos Cordero on March 8, 2011 on charges of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault and Cruelty to Children for the beating and torturing death of four-year old Marc Estephano Sanchez Mendez.

On January 18, 2008, Defendant Cordero brought the child’s lifeless, scar-covered body to Piedmont Hospital where the boy was pronounced dead. An immediate investigation ensued into the child’s severe injuries. Detectives discovered traces of blood throughout the the Sheridan Drive basement apartment the defendant shared with his wife and two other children. In a video statement to police, Cordero called his child the “devil” and claimed that the boy cut and beat himself with knives and other objects. The defendant did admit to occasionally spanking the child and punching him in the stomach.

Sabina Mendez, the boy’s mother, detailed a more brutal version of her husband’s abuse of the child. Mendez testified at trial that Defendant Cordero beat young Marc with a variety of objects including a 2x4, a plunger, broom, screwdriver and shoes and also repeatedly kicked the child. According to Mendez’s testimony, the defendant also tied the child’s hands and placed him the bathroom for hours on end as punishment. Mendez, who says she was also being beaten by the defendant, said she never sought help for her son because she was terrified of her husband, the only English-speaking person in the home. In exchange for her truthful testimony against her husband, Mendez pled guilty to Cruelty in the First Degree for failing to get help for little Marc. In a separate proceeding this morning, Judge Adams sentenced Ms. Mendez two years behind bars under ‘first offender’ status.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Tanya Miller with assistance from Chief Senior ADA Pete Johnson and DA Investigator Michael Green. Detective J.D. Stephens of the Atlanta Police Department led the initial investigation.

Media Contact: Yvette Brown, 404-224-0560/404-392-8867, yvette.brown@fultoncountyga.gov