L.A. County Child Agency Faces Lawsuit Over Toddler’s Fatal Abuse in Father’s Care

A Father’s Dark History Overlooked (Image Credits: Ca-times.brightspotcdn.com)

Long Beach — Alexis Servin has sued Los Angeles County’s Department of Children and Family Services after her 14-month-old daughter, Tilly Servin, suffered fatal torture at the hands of her father and his partner despite the agency’s knowledge of his abusive history.[1][2]

A Father’s Dark History Overlooked

Alfredo Muñoz Jr., Tilly’s father, carried an extensive criminal record that included multiple convictions for violent and drug-related offenses. Prosecutors detailed how he had served four years in state prison after pleading no contest to felony child abuse in 2021, a case involving another young child where authorities discovered methamphetamine and accessible pills in his home.[1][2]

Released in April 2023, Muñoz completed a drug program later that year. Yet DCFS placed Tilly with him and his partner, Kelly Muñoz, shortly after, ignoring a March 2025 email from a dependency investigator that warned of his substance abuse history rendering him incapable of child care.[1] The investigator noted risks to Tilly’s safety, citing prior juvenile court involvement with Muñoz’s other children.

Family attorney Brian Claypool emphasized the oversight at a February 25 news conference. “The father should have been disqualified from taking in Tilly Servin because he has a rap sheet longer than a novel,” Claypool said. “This is the guy that L.A. County DCFS said, ‘You can take care of a 14-month-old child.'”[1]

Timeline of Neglect and Tragedy

Tilly was born on September 29, 2024. DCFS removed her from Servin’s custody at five months old following an alleged positive fentanyl test, which Servin disputed. The toddler briefly stayed with her grandfather before the agency granted sole custody to Muñoz on June 9, 2024.[3]

On August 29, her first birthday, Servin received a photo showing Tilly emaciated with a forehead bruise. Relatives later reported concerns to DCFS about the child’s hair loss and weight loss, but no action followed. Abuse allegedly began soon after custody transfer and escalated until November 7, 2025, when paramedics rushed unresponsive Tilly to Miller Children’s Hospital with severe trauma.[2]

• November 7, 2025: Tilly hospitalized, placed on life support.
• November 10, 2025: Declared dead from brain injury and multiple fractures.
• November 25, 2025: Muñoz couple arrested.
• December 2, 2025: Charged with murder, torture, and child abuse causing death.

Horrific Injuries Reveal Prolonged Torment

The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s autopsy revealed a constellation of injuries inconsistent with accident: skull fractures, severe spinal cord damage, broken ribs, tibia, femur, and foot, plus emaciation from starvation. Deputy District Attorney Brian Rosenberg described videos allegedly showing Muñoz taunting the starving child with food and gagging her with cinnamon.[1]

Muñoz initially claimed he tripped over a baby gate. Both parents pleaded not guilty and face 25 years to life or the death penalty if convicted. They remain held on $3 million bail each.[4]

Lawsuit Alleges Systemic DCFS Failures

Servin filed the suit on February 19, 2026, claiming DCFS ignored mandatory checks, prior contacts revealing the couple’s violent backgrounds, and family warnings. Grandparents stood ready to care for Tilly, Servin noted. “I had a weird feeling” upon seeing the birthday photo, she recounted.[1]

Tilly’s grandmother, Courtney Guerrero, blamed the system directly. “I believe that they had a lot to do with her death,” Guerrero said. DCFS expressed sorrow but cited state law barring further comment.[3]

This case underscores persistent vulnerabilities in child welfare oversight, where ignored red flags cost a young life. As legal proceedings unfold, questions linger about protecting the most defenseless. What do you think about the role of child agencies in such tragedies? Tell us in the comments.