Erik Mendoza and David Pietura, 27, lived in the same home as the family of 5-year-old Prince McCree at the time of his death. According to a criminal complaint obtained by WISN, Pietura walked in on Mendoza choking the child. Pietura told Mendoza that they needed to clean up the scene, so he tied up McCree and put him into garbage bags.
Pietura was sentenced to life in prison for his role in McCree’s death in 2024. In February, Mendoza pleaded guilty to first-degree intentional homicide, hiding a corpse, and three counts of second-degree recklessly endangering safety.
WTMJ reports Mendoza was sentenced to life in prison on June 5 with the possibility of parole after 50 years. Before the judge sentenced Mendoza, WITI reports the child’s father, Darren McCree, said, “I wish this guy would die and burn. No mercy. And I wish I could do it with my hands. I’m a different person now. My life is my kid’s life.”