FLAGSTAFF, Ariz — A northern Arizona man was convicted Thursday of first-degree murder and other crimes in the 2020 starvation death of his 6-year-old son, Deshaun Martinez.

Authorities say the boy was locked in a tiny bedroom closet for 16 hours a day over a month with his older brother as punishment for stealing food in the home at night while their parents slept.

A Coconino County Superior Court jury found 28-year-old Anthony Martinez guilty in the boy’s death. Martinez was also convicted of two counts each of child abuse, kidnapping, and aggravated assault on law enforcement officers. Sentencing is set for June 28.

An autopsy revealed the boy weighed just 18 pounds (8.1 kilograms) at the time of his death — significantly below the average for his age. The manner of death was determined to be a homicide.

A memorial for 6-year-old Deshaun Martinez in Flagstaff, Ariz., on March 4, 2020. Jake Bacon / Arizona Daily Sun via AP file

This conviction marks the second in this tragic case. The boy’s mother, Elizabeth Archibeque, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and child abuse and was sentenced in July 2023 to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Defense attorney Joseph Carver argued in closing statements this week that Archibeque dominated the couple’s relationship and that Anthony Martinez never displayed independent decision-making regarding the children’s care, the Arizona Daily Sun reported.

However, prosecutor Michael Tunink presented evidence indicating that Martinez was actively involved in creating and maintaining the conditions that led to the boys’ suffering, the newspaper reported.

Flagstaff police discovered the 6-year-old unresponsive after his paternal grandmother, Ann Martinez, called 911 on March 2, 2020, reporting that it appeared her younger grandson was dead.

Ann Martinez has pleaded not guilty to several charges, including child abuse related to disciplining the boys by allegedly hitting them with a coat hanger. Her trial is scheduled for August.

Archibeque and Anthony Martinez initially attributed their sons’ malnourished state to a medical condition and to ingesting diet or caffeine pills for several weeks.

Anthony Martinez admitted to authorities that the boys were only given oatmeal and bread for breakfast and lunch, the Arizona Daily Sun reported. He also confessed to sitting next to the closet while playing video games to ensure the boys did not escape, the newspaper reported.

Police stated that Deshaun Martinez and his then 7-year-old brother were confined to the closet from 8 p.m. to noon daily for a month with limited food and were prevented from attending school.

Authorities reported that the closet was lined with an orange plastic sheet that reeked of urine.

The older boy survived but weighed just 28 pounds (12.7 kilograms) when police found him. He was taken to a hospital, where he recovered after nearly three weeks of treatment.

The couple’s other two children — girls who were ages 2 and 4 in 2020 — were found to be healthy and weight proportionate and did not have any restrictions at home.

The case has drawn significant attention to issues of child abuse and neglect, highlighting the extreme conditions under which Deshaun and his brother were forced to live. The tragic death of Deshaun Martinez underscores the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable children from abusive environments.

Authorities emphasized that such extreme measures of punishment and neglect are not only illegal but morally reprehensible. Child welfare advocates have used this case to call for stricter monitoring and intervention protocols to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

During the trial, emotional testimonies from family members and law enforcement painted a grim picture of the living conditions the boys endured. Neighbors and community members expressed shock and sorrow, with many wondering how such severe abuse could go unnoticed for so long.

The surviving brother's testimony provided critical insight into the daily horrors he and Deshaun faced, describing the fear and hunger they endured while locked away for hours on end. His recovery has been closely monitored by child welfare services, with ongoing support to help him heal from the traumatic experience.

This conviction marks a significant step towards justice for Deshaun Martinez, but it also serves as a somber reminder of the need for ongoing efforts to protect children from abuse and neglect.