OXNARD : 2 Plead Not Guilty in Death of Son

Two Oxnard farm workers pleaded not guilty Thursday to four counts each of child endangerment in connection with the death of their 2-year-old son from a head injury nine months ago.

Jose Ambriz, 59, and his wife, Virginia Cervantes, 30, were arraigned before County Municipal Judge John R. Smiley. The couple face one count each for the child’s internal head injury, one count for a chest burn, one for a broken leg and one for continuous abuse.

Assistant Dist. Atty. Patrice Koenig said the couple failed to seek medical attention for Rene Ambriz, who was pronounced dead on arrival at St. John’s Medical Center on June 10. Family members and investigators said the boy had suffered a seizure caused by the head injury. At his death, Rene also had a broken leg, severe burns and scars on his chest, neck and head, a black eye and bruises on one hip. Koenig described Rene’s death as “the most aggravated child abuse case I’ve ever seen. . . .Usually the victims don’t die.”

The couple’s four remaining children, ranging in age from 5 months to 13 years, are in county custody.

Although Jose Ambriz displayed no emotion throughout the arraignment, Virginia Cervantes sobbed and wiped her tears with a crumpled handkerchief.

The couple, who are being held at Ventura County Jail on $5,000 bail each, face a maximum of six years in state prison on each charge. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 25.