A Santa Clara County jury found the man guilty of murder after medical evidence showed the child died from severe blunt force trauma.
SAN JOSE, Calif. — A California man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the murder of his 8-month-old daughter after prosecutors said a powerful blow to the infant’s face caused fatal brain injuries and left a hand-shaped bruise that became a key piece of evidence in the case.
The sentence brings to a close a criminal case that began on July 4, 2020, when emergency responders received an unconscious infant brought to a Mountain View fire station. Prosecutors said medical findings contradicted the father’s explanation of what happened and ultimately demonstrated that the child died from intentional violence. The case drew significant attention because of the severity of the injuries, allegations of abuse involving other family members and the lengthy investigation that led to a murder conviction.
Authorities identified the defendant as Jesse Manuel Figueroa, 36. According to prosecutors, Figueroa brought his daughter, Raina, to a Mountain View fire station on Independence Day in 2020 after she became unresponsive. Emergency personnel transported the infant to a hospital, where doctors attempted to save her life. She died several days later. Investigators said Figueroa initially claimed he was taking the child to a family barbecue when she suddenly lost consciousness and began bleeding from her nose. As medical staff examined the infant, a bruise reportedly appeared on her cheek that matched the shape and size of an adult hand. Prosecutors argued that the injury was inconsistent with the explanation provided by the father. During the trial, medical experts testified that the force involved caused catastrophic injuries, including severe trauma to the brain.
An autopsy concluded that Raina died from blunt force trauma and brain hemorrhaging. Medical testimony presented during court proceedings described injuries so extensive that the force of the impact caused the brain to move within the skull. Prosecutors relied heavily on those findings to establish that the death resulted from violence rather than a medical emergency. Jurors heard evidence from physicians, investigators and forensic specialists who examined the injuries and reconstructed the events surrounding the child’s final hours. Although some details about the moments immediately before the injury remained uncertain, prosecutors argued that the physical evidence clearly established criminal conduct. Defense arguments challenging those conclusions failed to persuade the jury, which ultimately found Figueroa guilty of murder. The conviction represented the culmination of years of investigative work and courtroom proceedings.
The prosecution also introduced evidence alleging a broader pattern of abuse within the household. Investigators said court records showed concerns about Figueroa’s treatment of the child’s mother and the couple’s two other children, who were 2 and 3 years old at the time. Prosecutors alleged that the abuse included violence against the mother and harsh disciplinary measures directed at the children. Court records further indicated that restrictions had been placed on Figueroa’s contact with Raina, limiting his ability to be alone with her. Prosecutors argued that he persuaded the child’s mother to allow him to watch the infant by himself on the day she suffered the fatal injuries. Those allegations formed part of the state’s effort to demonstrate a pattern of abusive behavior leading up to the child’s death. The jury ultimately accepted the prosecution’s account and returned a guilty verdict earlier this year.
The case highlighted the difficulties often encountered in investigations involving very young victims. Because infants cannot describe what happened to them, authorities frequently rely on medical evidence, injury patterns, witness testimony and forensic analysis. In this investigation, prosecutors said the hand-shaped bruise and internal injuries provided critical evidence. Investigators spent years reviewing records, interviewing witnesses and consulting medical experts before the case reached trial. By the time jurors heard the evidence, prosecutors argued they had assembled a detailed account showing that the infant’s injuries could not be explained by accident or illness. The homicide finding transformed what initially appeared to be a medical emergency into a murder prosecution. The extensive investigation underscored the role of scientific evidence in cases where direct witnesses are unavailable.
Following the guilty verdict, a Santa Clara County judge imposed a sentence of 25 years to life in state prison. The punishment reflects the sentence associated with the murder conviction obtained by prosecutors. Under California law, Figueroa will serve a lengthy prison term before becoming eligible for parole consideration. Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen described the killing as brutal and senseless after the sentencing. Prosecutors said the sentence recognizes both the seriousness of the crime and the vulnerability of the victim. While the criminal proceedings have largely concluded, routine post-conviction motions and potential appeals remain available through the judicial system. No additional charges related to the infant’s death were announced at the sentencing hearing. Unless appellate courts alter the outcome, the conviction will remain in place as the case moves into the post-conviction phase.
Family members used the proceedings to focus attention on the life of the child rather than solely on the details of the crime. In a victim impact statement, Raina’s grandfather told the court that his granddaughter was deeply loved and deserved the chance to grow up. He urged those present to remember her as a child and family member rather than simply a victim. Prosecutors echoed that message following sentencing. Rosen noted that Raina would have been approximately 6 years old had she survived. The comments brought an emotional conclusion to a case that stretched across nearly six years from the day emergency responders first treated the infant. Family members said the verdict and sentence cannot undo the loss but provide a measure of accountability for her death.
The case now stands as a completed homicide prosecution, with the murder conviction and sentence formally entered. Future developments are expected to be limited to any post-conviction court filings, appeals or parole-related proceedings that may occur years from now.
Author note: Last updated June 1, 2026.