A San Jose father has been convicted of murder in the death of his 8-month-old daughter after medical evidence revealed severe and repeated head trauma that could not be explained by accident. Jesse Manuel Figueroa, 36, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison in May 2026 for the killing of his infant daughter, Raina Figueroa.

The case began on July 4, 2020, when Figueroa brought Raina to a fire station, claiming she had suddenly collapsed while they were traveling. What initially appeared to be a medical emergency quickly turned into a criminal investigation after doctors at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital discovered extensive injuries inconsistent with the father’s account.

Medical examiners found that Raina had suffered severe brain trauma so extreme that her brain had shifted inside the skull. A bruise on her face, consistent with an adult handprint, further raised suspicions of intentional harm. Prosecutors argued that the injuries were the result of repeated and violent physical abuse rather than any accidental cause.

Court testimony revealed that Figueroa was under a restraining order that prohibited unsupervised contact with Raina at the time of her death. Despite this legal restriction, he had access to the child on the day she sustained fatal injuries. The violation of the protective order became a significant factor in the prosecution’s case.

Evidence presented during the trial also pointed to a broader pattern of abuse within the household. Prosecutors introduced testimony showing that Raina and her siblings had been subjected to ongoing physical punishment and a climate of fear and control. These details helped establish that the fatal injuries were not an isolated incident but part of a sustained pattern of violence.

Throughout the legal proceedings, Figueroa maintained that Raina’s injuries were accidental. However, forensic evidence and medical testimony strongly contradicted his claims. The jury ultimately found him guilty of murder, determining that the injuries were inflicted intentionally.

Raina’s death has left a lasting impact on her surviving siblings, who were exposed to the abusive environment. Child welfare advocates have highlighted the case as an example of how repeated warning signs of abuse can escalate when intervention fails. The tragedy has also prompted renewed discussions about the enforcement of restraining orders and the critical role of medical professionals in identifying signs of child abuse.

While the conviction brought a measure of legal accountability, Raina’s family and the broader community continue to grapple with the profound loss of a young life taken too soon. The case stands as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of infants and the devastating consequences when abuse goes unchecked.

Authorities and child advocacy groups continue to emphasize the importance of early reporting and intervention in cases involving suspected child abuse. Raina Figueroa’s story has become part of ongoing efforts to strengthen protections for children and ensure that warning signs are taken seriously before tragedy strikes.