You encounter a case that challenges belief: a Southern California couple stands convicted in the brutal deaths of two older children and accused of forcing their younger children to witness the aftermath. The article explains who the accused are, what prosecutors say happened, and what legal consequences they now face.
You will find clear, verified details about the timeline of events, the charges brought by the Los Angeles County District Attorney, and the facts jurors heard during the trial. Expect concise summaries of the evidence, witness accounts, and how the court moved from verdict to sentencing.
Key Details of the Severe Abuse Case
Two parents were convicted of killing two children and forcing their younger children to witness or endure conditions that led to criminal child-abuse charges. The case involved brutal injuries to the victims and criminal findings that prompted life sentences.
Timeline of Events
Maurice Jewel Taylor Sr. and Natalie Sumiko Brothwell were arrested after authorities found two children dead at the family home in late 2020. The victims, a 12‑year‑old boy and a 13‑year‑old girl, died in stabbings that included decapitation; prosecutors later secured convictions for first‑degree murder with special‑circumstance findings of multiple murders.
Court developments continued through 2021–2024, including competency examinations and Brothwell’s extradition from Arizona. Jurors returned guilty verdicts in November, and a judge imposed consecutive life terms without parole, citing the severity of the crimes and lack of genuine remorse.
Discovery of the Crime
Authorities entered the house days after the killings, when concerns were raised about the family’s unresponsiveness and a reported gas call to the fire department. Deputies and first responders found the two children’s bodies inside the residence, and two adults present at the scene were detained.
Officials reported the bodies remained in the home for several days before discovery. Prosecutors described the scene as a “monstrous act of cruelty,” and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office charged both parents with multiple felonies, including first‑degree murder and child abuse.
Abuse of Surviving Siblings
Investigators concluded that Taylor and Brothwell forced their younger sons—then ages 8 and 9—to look at the siblings’ remains and kept them confined in bedrooms without food for several days. Those actions led to additional counts of child abuse under circumstances likely to cause great bodily injury or death.
Prosecutors emphasized the long‑term harm to the surviving children when arguing for harsh penalties. The court record and victim statements underscored that the siblings endured both physical deprivation and traumatic exposure to the aftermath, factors the judge cited when denying requests for reduced sentences.
Relevant reporting on the case provides detailed coverage of the charging decisions and courtroom findings; see the Los Angeles coverage of the parents’ sentencing for more specifics.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
The court handed down life sentences and detailed the charges, courtroom statements, and protective measures that followed. Key actors included the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office, the presiding judge, and family members who delivered victim impact statements.
Trial Verdicts and Sentences
Jurors convicted Maurice Jewel Taylor Sr. and Natalie Sumiko Brothwell of two counts of first‑degree murder with special circumstances and two counts of child abuse. The convictions reflected findings that the killings were deliberate and involved multiple victims, triggering special‑circumstance penalties under California law.
Judge Lisa M. Strassner sentenced both defendants to consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole, meaning each must serve one life term after the other. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office argued for the maximum penalties, citing brutality of the acts and the victims’ ages. Defense motions for a new trial and arguments about competency were rejected by the court.
Statements from the Court and Prosecutors
Judge Strassner described the victims as helpless and emphasized the severity of forcing surviving children to witness aftermath, noting lack of genuine remorse. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman called the killings “monstrous” and said the verdict delivered accountability for the victims.
Prosecutors outlined evidence showing prolonged confinement of the surviving children and other abusive conditions, which supported both murder and child‑abuse counts. Victim impact statements read in court characterized the family’s loss and urged strict punishment; the judge referenced those statements when explaining the sentence length and the consecutive nature of the terms.
Protective Orders and Aftermath
The court imposed measures to protect the surviving children and preserve evidence, including orders restricting contact between defendants and family members. Social services and law enforcement coordinated to place the two younger children in protective custody and to provide trauma services.
Criminal filings also included child‑abuse enhancements, which ensured prosecutors could pursue penalties tied specifically to conduct likely to cause great bodily injury or death. The district attorney’s office signaled continued monitoring of post‑conviction issues such as restitution, competency appeals, and any further filings related to guardianship or long‑term care for the surviving children.
More from Decluttering Mom:
