Vanesa Muñoz Pujol lived a life that did not match the image she projected online. She was a devoted mother of four, a woman who cared deeply for her children even as her world began to crumble under social services intervention. In January 2021, the family faced actions that would reverberate for years. The authorities say the three of them endured mistreatment, harsh punishment, and severe neglect at the hands of those entrusted with their care. The youngest child, Laia, aged just two, could not endure the relentless abuse. Autopsy findings revealed an alarming tally of new and old wounds, prompting questions about the conditions that led to Laia’s death. The couple Vanesa Muñoz and Cristian Lastanao Valenilla now confront permanent, reviewable imprisonment for the events of that January.
Prosecutors requested a combined petition that included the Generalitat of Catalonia as guardian to the deceased sister, the office of the prosecutor, and the lawyer representing the deceased child’s biological father. The case is slated to be examined by a popular jury at Zaragoza Provincial Court, which will determine the guilt and the respective sentences for both defendants. In statements to the investigating judge, both Vanesa Muñoz and Cristian Lastanao attributed responsibility to one another for the alleged brutal acts.
Investigators from the Aragon Superior Police Homicide Group relied on the autopsy report and a forensic review of the couple’s cell phones to reconstruct the timeline. They determined that on January 21 Laia exhibited symptoms consistent with fever, diarrhea, fatigue, and stomach upset; she refused to eat. The medical assessment noted a peritoneal infection developing from hundreds of injuries across her body. Reports indicate that a duodenum injury progressed to a state where the child could no longer respond, while the family reportedly subjected Laia to cold-water immersion in a desperate attempt to quell her distress.
The defendants allegedly carried Laia down from their residence seeking help from neighbors who had already observed unusual marks on the child. Those neighbors had alerted authorities, and the scene in the apartment at number 2 María Sánchez Arbós Street in Zaragoza’s Picarral district was described by investigators as a place of extreme harm, where Laia endured punishment for her perceived disobedience and restlessness. Accounts describe episodes of food deprivation, scolding, and physical punishment, including the use of peppers and hot sauce, confinement in a closet, and forceful restraint on walls. Investigators verified these claims through interviews and the examination of physical evidence, including communications between the defendants that showed a disturbing awareness of the events.
The investigation also examined the defendants’ electronic devices, which provided crucial context for the case. One partner described the other as increasingly desensitized to the child’s suffering, and the communications captured in the digital exchanges underscored a pattern of neglect and aggression. The man stated a sense of exhaustion with Laia, and described abusive actions that included forcing the child to endure harsh treatment, with repeated physical blows and degrading acts.
Vanesa Muñoz described Cristian Lastanao as emotionally connected with the family unit, acknowledging that he knew about the harm but claimed he could not intervene. She indicated concerns about losing her children if social services authorities determined a disqualifying situation, and she admitted to not fully complying with social services directives. The testimony portrayed a woman under pressure who faced immense fear about the possible separation of her children, complicating the family’s already fragile dynamic.
In the medical findings, Laia was found to have hundreds of injuries, with autopsy results revealing additional substances in her system, including traces of cocaine, cannabis, an antidepressant, and a hypnotic medication used in the months leading up to her death. In 2020 Catalonia’s Child Care Teams had already identified serious risks to minors in the household, yet the family situation persisted. At the time of Laia’s death, government authorities in Aragon had ongoing concerns about the case, including an open file that reflected ongoing scrutiny of the child’s welfare.
As the proceedings advance, the case raises questions about the effectiveness of protection systems, the balance between family preservation and child safety, and the responsibilities of caregivers and state actors in preventing harm. The coming weeks will determine the degree of accountability for the adults involved and will illuminate where oversight and intervention should have altered the course of events for Laia and her siblings. The courtroom in Zaragoza will hear from medical experts, social services representatives, and the family members themselves as part of this highly charged and closely watched case.