Avondale man indicted in death of 3-year-old girl

A grand jury on Tuesday indicted an Avondale man arrested in connection with the death of his girlfriend's 3-year-old daughter.

Alvaro Holguin-Duarte, 23, is charged with first-degree murder and two counts of child abuse.

Duarte was taking care of his girlfriend's seven children on Nov. 17 while she was at work, police reported.

Emergency crews were called to the couple's Avondale apartment when 3-year-old Alisandra Romero stopped breathing.

Duarte told police he slapped the girl when he discovered that she had gone to the bathroom in her pants, court documents show.

Alisandra's 11-year-old brother later told officers that he saw Duarte stomp on Alisandra's chest. She was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The first-degree murder indictment is more severe than the original charge of second-degree murder.

In a statement, County Attorney Andrew Thomas said the stiffer charge is appropriate because of the severity of the crime.

Alvaro Francisco Holguin Duarte