TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KMJ) Edward Lee Dias, Jr. was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 2017 torture and murder of 2-year-old boy Bryce and the torture of Bryce’s 3-year-old cousin. Two co-defendants, Shania Alamillo, age 32, and sister Adriana Alamillo, age 35, are each currently serving a life sentence for their role in the crimes.
“These two innocent and vulnerable victims endured tragedy and evil to a degree that haunts everyone involved in this prosecution,” said Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward.
In February 2017, Shania Alamillo and her 2-year-old son Bryce moved into the Tulare residence of Edward Dias. That April, Shania’s sister Adriana and Adriana’s 3-year-old daughter moved in.
On July 16, 2017, Shania and Adriana arrived at a Tulare hospital with Bryce in full cardiac and respiratory arrest. The child had major bruising and swelling to his face, abrasions and swelling to his buttocks, and other suspicious injuries. His skull was fractured and there was significant cerebral swelling and subdural bleeding. The sisters claimed he had accidentally fallen. Bryce was transported to Valley Children’s where he was pronounced brain-dead two days later.
Due to the nature and suspicious circumstances of the injuries, Tulare Police Department officers responded to the residence. There they found Dias and Adriana’s daughter, who was lethargic and had severe ligature bruising to her wrists and ankles. Signs of dehydration and malnourishment were observed in the young girl, who was also transported and admitted to Valley Children’s Hospital.
Through investigation, detectives uncovered extreme physical and psychological abuse at the hands of the adult defendants. Beginning in April 2017, Bryce was routinely struck, tied up and gagged, and sleep deprived. Disturbing video evidence filmed by the defendants just two weeks prior to Bryce’s death showed an unconscious Bryce on the floor with Dias describing the child as the “Knockout King,” and slapping him awake. Other videos and photos showed a pattern of extreme cruelty toward Bryce, with several revealing severe bruising. A wooden cross-brace from a chair was found at the residence. Apparent blood on it was tested and matched Bryce’s DNA.
Though Dias acted as the primary aggressor, the Alamillo sisters participated in some of the abuse and failed to intervene to protect either of the children.
Medical and child abuse experts determined both children were victims of repetitive abuse and trauma that equated to torture. Bryce’s cause of death was determined to be traumatic brain injury from blunt force trauma. Text messages that day between the defendants showed attempted collusion for the false explanations given to medical personnel and law enforcement.
The three defendants were arrested and charged shortly after. The court process faced numerous delays requested by the defense. In January 2019, the District Attorney’s Office presented the case to a Tulare County criminal grand jury to expedite the case toward trial. The grand jury indicted all three on murder, child abuse, and torture charges.
Adriana Alamillo pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit torture with infliction of great bodily injury on March 28, 2023, and was sentenced to 27 years-to-life in prison that May. On February 25, 2025, Shania Alamillo pleaded no contest to the first-degree murder of her son and conspiracy to commit torture with infliction of great bodily injury. In June of this year, she was sentenced to 37 years-to-life in prison. Both women are serving their sentences at the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla.
Dias pleaded guilty to every charge and allegation: first-degree murder of Bryce with the special circumstance that the murder was intentional and involved the infliction of torture, assault on a child causing death, conspiracy to commit torture of both children, torture of both children, and felony child abuse of both children. Allegations admitted include infliction of great bodily injury and use of a deadly weapon. As a condition of the plea agreement, Dias waived his appeal rights, meaning that his convictions become final at sentencing.
“Though the striking of the judge’s gavel will bring this prosecution to a close, this office will stay committed to protecting our most vulnerable victims. Crimes against children often occur in the shadows. Let this be a reminder of the importance in reporting suspected abuse to law enforcement,” continued District Attorney Ward.
