In one of the most disturbing child abuse cases in recent memory, a Colorado woman has been found guilty of killing her boyfriend’s two young children and concealing their bodies for years — one in a container filled with hardened concrete and the other in the trunk of a car. The crimes went undiscovered for nearly six years.
Corena Minjarez, 37, of Pueblo County, was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder of a victim under 12 by someone in a position of trust and two counts of abuse of a corpse. She was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, according to the 10th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
Children Abused, Killed, and Hidden
The victims were 5-year-old Jesus Dominguez Jr. and 3-year-old Yesenia Dominguez, the children of Minjarez’s then-boyfriend Jesus Dominguez, who accepted a plea deal in July 2025 and testified against her.
The jury trial, which began on August 11, concluded with a unanimous verdict after more than a day of deliberation.
“Despite the defense’s claims that the co-defendant acted alone, the evidence clearly demonstrated that Minjarez was responsible for the death of these two children and responsible for hiding the bodies under horrific conditions,” prosecutors said in a statement.
A Pattern of Abuse and Neglect
According to testimony, both Minjarez and Dominguez were abusing drugs and mistreating the children. Witnesses said Minjarez grew frustrated over potty training issues and often took her anger out on the kids.
Dominguez claimed Minjarez once sprayed Jesus Jr. with a high-pressure nozzle at a car wash, causing painful injuries, and frequently made the children sit in plastic bags inside the car to avoid messes.
On March 14, 2018, the couple was driving the kids to school when Yesenia stopped breathing in the backseat. She had soiled herself and was forced to sit on the car floor in a trash bag. Instead of getting her medical help, the couple feared being exposed for abuse and placed her body in a suitcase, eventually storing her in a storage unit.
Weeks later, Jesus Jr. also died in similar circumstances. Dominguez claimed that Minjarez told him the boy had stopped breathing after sitting near bags and blankets. Once again, instead of calling for help, they placed his body in a suitcase and hid him in the trunk of a Pontiac, which was later sent to a scrapyard.
Bodies Discovered Years Later
In January 2024, Minjarez’s mother contacted police after helping her daughter clean out a storage unit and discovering a metal container filled with concrete. Police later confirmed that Yesenia’s remains were inside.
An autopsy listed her cause of death as homicidal violence, though no exact cause could be determined due to decomposition.
Two weeks later, police found Jesus Jr.’s body in the trunk of the abandoned car.
Dominguez’s testimony painted a grim picture of long-term abuse, drug use, and neglect. He also claimed that Minjarez was jealous of the children’s biological mother and often took out her frustrations on the children.
Family and Friends Raised Red Flags
According to prosecutors, several people had raised concerns about Minjarez’s behavior before the children’s deaths. Even her own teenage son once scolded her for being too harsh with the kids. A friend told police that Minjarez had admitted to hiding the bodies back in 2018, claiming both deaths were “accidental.”
“This case is a heartbreaking reminder of the need to listen and act when children are in danger,” said prosecutors. “We are grateful for the jury’s careful attention and for the investigators who worked tirelessly to bring justice for Jesus and Yesenia.”
