Man sentenced in child's death

GLENDALE — A Glendale man pleaded guilty Wednesday to the assault that caused the death of his girlfriend's 3-year-old daughter.

Joseph Alcoriza, 31, now likely faces 25 years to life in state prison, said Deputy District Attorney Natalie Admonian. The sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 5 in Pasadena Superior Court.

Alcoriza was arrested two days after his girlfriend's daughter, Kathe Manaig, died at Glendale Memorial Hospital from full cardiac arrest, Glendale Police Det. Robert Breckenridge said.

An autopsy found massive internal bleeding caused by blunt-force trauma to Kathe's stomach, he said.

Alcoriza was reportedly the only adult home with Kathe at the time of the assault while her mother, Melanie, worked a night shift as a nurse at a North Hollywood medical center, Breckenridge said.

Alcoriza's 7-year-old daughter reportedly witnessed the incident and was prepared to testify against him had there been a trial, Breckenridge said.

"I don't think that would have looked very good," he said.

Although authorities had originally charged Alcoriza with murder and torture as well, Breckenridge said the plea bargain reached last week will result in the same amount of prison time.

"I think it's good for the victim's family to start healing from this," he said.

"It would have been a very sad trial."