The family of a seven-year-old New York boy who died from severe malnutrition has accused his school district of failing to report his prolonged absence from classes before his death.
The boy, Peter Cuacuas, died in February 2021 after being starved and allegedly hidden away by his stepmother, Leticia Bravo, who later pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Lawsuit Settled Out of Court
Peter’s brother, Jose Cuacuas, filed a lawsuit against the Newburgh Enlarged City School District in 2022, alleging that school officials failed to notify child welfare authorities after the second-grade student stopped attending virtual classes for more than a month.
The lawsuit argued that timely intervention by child protection agencies could have uncovered the abuse and potentially saved the child’s life.
The school district confirmed this week that the case has been settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
In a statement, district officials expressed sympathy for the family but maintained that the settlement did not constitute an admission of wrongdoing or liability.
Child Found Severely Malnourished
Authorities launched an investigation after Bravo brought Peter’s lifeless body to a hospital in Newburgh, approximately 60 miles north of New York City, on February 10, 2021.
An autopsy later determined that the child died from malnutrition. Investigators found that Peter weighed only 37 pounds at the time of his death.
Police also discovered that the boy had allegedly been confined to a hidden room inside the residence where he lived with Bravo.
Questions Over School Absences
According to prosecutors, Peter stopped participating in virtual learning in January 2021.
Despite several interactions between Bravo and school staff during that period, the lawsuit claims the district failed to take sufficient action regarding his continued absence from classes.
The family argued that a report to child protective services could have prompted an investigation that would have uncovered the conditions in which Peter was living.
Stepmother and Father Convicted
Bravo, now 43, admitted in court that she was Peter’s primary caregiver and knowingly failed to provide him with adequate food and necessary medical care.
She also acknowledged causing physical harm to the child and creating circumstances that ultimately led to his death.
Peter’s father, Arturo Cuacuas, pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide in 2022. Prosecutors said he failed to intervene despite signs that his son was not receiving proper care.
He was sentenced to prison and later released after serving approximately one year.
Authorities Condemn Child’s Treatment
Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler described the case as deeply disturbing, stating that Peter was denied the most basic necessities of life while being kept hidden from authorities.
Officials said the tragedy highlighted the importance of vigilance by caregivers, schools, and community institutions in identifying and reporting signs of child abuse and neglect.
The case continues to raise questions about accountability and the role of public institutions in protecting vulnerable children from harm.
