A Tulare County judge on Tuesday sentenced a 45-year-old man to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 2017 torture and killing of a 2-year-old boy, while two co-defendants are already serving life terms for their roles in the abuse, prosecutors said.

Edward Lee Dias Jr. received the sentence in Tulare County Superior Court for the torture and murder of Bryce, as well as the torture of the child’s 3-year-old cousin, according to the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office. Co-defendants Shania Alamillo, 32, and her sister, Adriana Alamillo, 35, are serving sentences of 37 years to life and 27 years to life, respectively.

“These two innocent and vulnerable victims endured tragedy and evil to a degree that haunts everyone involved in this prosecution,” District Attorney Tim Ward said in a statement.

Prosecutors said Shania Alamillo and her young son moved into Dias’ Tulare home in February 2017, followed by her sister and niece two months later. On July 16, 2017,, the sisters brought Bryce to a Tulare hospital in full cardiac and respiratory arrest. The boy had severe bruising, swelling and a fractured skull, and was declared brain-dead two days later at Valley Children’s Hospital.

Police responding to the home found Adriana Alamillo’s daughter lethargic and suffering from ligature bruising, dehydration, and malnourishment, officials said.

Investigators uncovered what they described as extreme physical and psychological abuse beginning in April 2017. Video recorded by the defendants showed Bryce unconscious as Dias called him the “Knockout King” and slapped him awake. Photos and videos documented repeated injuries, and a wooden cross-brace from a chair tested positive for Bryce’s DNA, prosecutors said.

Dias Identified as Primary Aggressor

Though Dias was the primary aggressor, prosecutors said the Alamillo sisters participated in some of the abuse and did not intervene to protect the children. Experts determined both children endured repetitive trauma amounting to torture, and Bryce’s death was caused by a traumatic brain injury.

The defendants were arrested shortly after the boy’s death, but the case faced multiple defense delays before a criminal grand jury indicted all three in 2019. Adriana Alamillo pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit torture in 2023, while Shania Alamillo pleaded no contest earlier this year to first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit torture. Both are serving their sentences at the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla.

Dias pleaded guilty to all charges, including first-degree murder with a torture special circumstance, assault on a child causing death, conspiracy to commit torture, torture and felony child abuse. As part of his plea agreement, he waived his right to appeal.

“Though the striking of the judge’s gavel will bring this prosecution to a close, this office will stay committed to protecting our most vulnerable victims,” Ward said. “Crimes against children often occur in the shadows. Let this be a reminder of the importance in reporting suspected abuse to law enforcement.”

The Tulare County Child Abuse Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-331-1585.

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