Havasu Man Accepts Plea Deal Amidst Shocking Felony Child Abuse Allegations

A suspect involved in a felony child abuse case in Lake Havasu City pleaded guilty last week. Francisco E. Leyva, 35, received a sentence that includes incarceration, unsupervised probation, and fines exceeding $3,200. A second suspect, Jovita F. Dorantes, 42, is scheduled for her own hearing later this month.

The incident occurred on September 7 at a residence on Magnolia Drive. Officers responded to reports of a disturbance and found a victim outside suffering from severe abdominal pain. Upon approaching the home, they discovered Leyva and Dorantes in a physical altercation in the living room.

An officer announced his presence and began questioning those inside. Leyva allegedly told police he had consumed seven beers earlier in the day and claimed to have fallen asleep, only to wake up to chaos. While he was the only adult present who could communicate in English, officers noted his reluctance to clarify the situation.

Interviews with multiple children at the scene revealed troubling circumstances. A 15-year-old occupant reportedly consumed alcohol, resulting in illness, which sparked the argument leading to the physical confrontation. Leyva allegedly caused pain to the 15-year-old by grabbing her arm and later threw a 13-year-old victim against a couch when she tried to intervene.

The first victim encountered by officers sustained injuries, allegedly being struck in the face and bitten in the stomach by Leyva, who also bit a 7-year-old victim’s finger when she attempted to defend her.

Dorantes is accused of providing alcohol to the 15-year-old and is implicated in an additional physical assault against the victim. Court records indicate that Leyva entered a guilty plea on September 12 for one count. As part of his sentencing, he must undergo mandatory domestic violence counseling.

As for Dorantes, her hearing at Lake Havasu Municipal Court is set for September 24, where she will face misdemeanor charges related to furnishing alcohol to a minor, assault, and disorderly conduct.