REMEMBERING ALEJANDRO

Alejandro Gabriel Lucero, affectionately called Alex, was a little boy whose life ended just one month before his second birthday.

Born on September 28, 2006, Alejandro was still discovering the world around him. He should have been enjoying the simple moments of childhood, learning new words, playing, and growing alongside his younger twin siblings.

Alejandro attended a child care program at his mother's high school. He was a little boy with a place in his family and a future that should have been filled with opportunities to learn, grow, and experience life.

At twenty-two months old, he depended on the adults around him for safety, comfort, and protection.

Instead, Alejandro endured serious physical injuries during his short life, and the violence he suffered ultimately caused his death.

He deserved a childhood free from fear and pain, and the chance to grow into the person he was becoming.

ALEJANDRO'S STORY

On August 24, 2008, Alejandro was visiting the Kearns, Utah, residence of his mother's boyfriend, Sergio Martinez-Gonzalez.

His mother, Adrianna Lucero, was seventeen years old at the time. Alejandro's younger twin siblings were also present.

According to testimony and evidence presented during the criminal proceedings, Adrianna and Sergio had a troubled relationship marked by arguments and domestic violence.

That afternoon, Alejandro suffered a catastrophic injury to his back.

Adrianna initially told investigators that she had taken Alejandro into another room to get him a snack and a drink. She claimed that he suddenly became unresponsive and collapsed.

Emergency responders were called, and Alejandro was transported by helicopter to Primary Children's Medical Center.

Despite efforts to save him, Alejandro died approximately ninety minutes after arriving at the hospital.

An autopsy revealed that Alejandro's spine had been severely injured and that his aorta, a major blood vessel, had ruptured.

The medical examiner determined that his injuries were caused by extreme force that bent his back backward.

Investigators also discovered evidence of earlier abuse, including bruising, a healing rib fracture, and a previous injury to his spine.

Approximately one week before his death, Alejandro had experienced difficulty walking and had been taken to a medical clinic. The cause of that problem was not identified at the time.

The medical findings later indicated that Alejandro had suffered a previous injury similar to the one that ultimately killed him.

During the investigation, Adrianna gave conflicting accounts of what had happened.

She initially indicated that she had been alone with Alejandro when he was injured. She later accused Sergio of causing the fatal injury.

Sergio denied injuring Alejandro.

Prosecutors ultimately charged Adrianna with murder and child abuse.

The evidence presented at trial established that Alejandro had suffered repeated injuries and that the fatal trauma was not accidental.

His life ended on August 24, 2008, before he could celebrate his second birthday.

WARNING SIGNS & SYSTEM FAILURES

Alejandro's death followed documented signs of physical abuse.

During the autopsy, the medical examiner identified a healing rib fracture and evidence of an earlier spinal injury.

Approximately one week before his death, Alejandro had experienced difficulty walking.

His mother took him to a clinic, but the physician was unable to determine the cause of his symptoms.

The earlier injury was later examined during Adrianna's criminal trial.

The Utah Supreme Court concluded that evidence of the previous injury had been properly considered in connection with the prosecution's case.

The similarities between the earlier injury and the fatal trauma were significant.

Alejandro's case demonstrates how serious injuries in very young children can remain unidentified until additional violence occurs.

The available court records do not establish that child protective services received a report about Alejandro and failed to investigate it before his death.

However, the medical evidence documented earlier injuries that showed Alejandro had suffered harm before the fatal incident.

He was too young to explain what was happening or seek protection for himself.

His safety depended entirely on adults recognizing his injuries, obtaining appropriate medical care, and ensuring that he was not exposed to further violence.

JUSTICE FOR ALEJANDRO

Following Alejandro's death, his mother, Adrianna Lucero, was arrested and prosecuted in Utah's Third District Court.

Adrianna Lucero

Relationship to Alejandro: Mother

Convictions: First degree felony murder and second degree felony child abuse

Sentence: 15 years to life in prison for murder and an additional sentence of 1 to 15 years for child abuse, ordered to run concurrently

On April 17, 2009, a jury found Adrianna Lucero guilty of murder and child abuse following a trial in Salt Lake County.

The prosecution presented medical testimony concerning Alejandro's fatal spinal injury and evidence of previous physical abuse.

Adrianna maintained that Sergio Martinez-Gonzalez had caused the fatal injury.

However, the jury rejected her defense and returned guilty verdicts.

On August 7, 2009, Judge Vernice Trease sentenced Adrianna to fifteen years to life in prison for murder and a concurrent prison term for child abuse.

Adrianna appealed her convictions to the Utah Supreme Court.

On May 13, 2014, the court affirmed both convictions, rejecting her arguments concerning the admission of evidence and the effectiveness of her legal representation.

In October 2023, Adrianna appeared before the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole for a hearing. The hearing was moved forward because of changes involving parole consideration for people sentenced for crimes committed as juveniles.

Her release status has not been independently confirmed.

Sergio Martinez-Gonzalez

Relationship to Alejandro: Mother's Boyfriend

Charge: Obstruction of justice

Outcome: Charge dismissed

Sergio Martinez-Gonzalez was initially charged with obstruction of justice during the investigation into Alejandro's death.

He was not convicted of Alejandro's murder.

According to court records described in later reporting, the obstruction case against him was dismissed several months after the charge was filed.

Although Adrianna continued to accuse Sergio of causing Alejandro's fatal injuries, the criminal conviction for Alejandro's death was entered against Adrianna.

The court proceedings established legal accountability for the violence that ended Alejandro's life.

But no conviction or prison sentence could restore the childhood and future he deserved.

FOREVER REMEMBERED

Alejandro Gabriel Lucero should have celebrated his second birthday surrounded by love, laughter, and the people who cared about him.

He should have grown up alongside his younger siblings, sharing childhood adventures, family memories, and all the little moments that make growing up so special.

Known as Alex, he was a little boy who had only begun to discover the world.

There were so many experiences still waiting for him. His first days of school, friendships, birthdays, and the opportunity to develop his own interests and dreams.

Instead, his life ended before those possibilities could become memories.

Alejandro's story reminds us how vulnerable young children are when they experience abuse and how important it is to recognize signs of injury before further harm occurs.

But he deserves to be remembered for more than the violence that ended his life.

Alejandro was a son, a brother, and a child whose life had meaning from the moment it began.

His time in this world was far too short, but his memory deserves to endure.

Abuse Angels remembers Alejandro Gabriel Lucero.

Remembered. Honored. Never Forgotten.