Family of 10-year-old Anthony Avalos files $50 million wrongful death lawsuit against DCFS

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) -- A $50 million lawsuit aimed at prompting change has been filed against the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services on behalf of the family of Anthony Avalos, a boy from Lancaster, who died after being tortured and abused allegedly by his mother and her boyfriend last year, an attorney said Thursday.

According to the lawsuit, 10-year-old Anthony died despite at least 16 reports to DCFS about him suffering physical and sexual abuse at home. Heather Barron, and her boyfriend Kareem Leiva, are both facing the death penalty for the torture and killing of her little boy.

"He had so many dreams, he was such a loving and caring kid and all he ever did was protect his siblings," Maria Barron, Anthony's aunt, said at a news conference Thursday. "DCFS has really failed us, terribly, and hopefully this is a wake-up call for them so no more kids, not one more kid, has to go through this."

Attorney Brian Claypool, who represents Anthony's father, said he sent a written request to the U.S. Attorney General to launch a federal investigation into DCFS. Claypool claims DCFS employees were not properly trained, did not follow department guidelines and essentially turned a blind eye to protecting Anthony from the abuse and torture he sustained.

"It was heartbreaking to write this lawsuit. I was in tears finalizing this lawsuit. I couldn't believe the number of times, the multiple times DCFS workers had the chance to throw out a life vest to Anthony Avalos," Claypool said.