BELFAST — The man accused of the beating death of his then-10-year-old daughter was sentenced to 55 years in prison in Waldo County Unified Court Aug. 28 after pleading guilty in the same court July 22. 

Julio Carrillo, 52, was charged with depraved indifference murder as a result of the Feb. 25, 2018, death of Marissa Kennedy, who reportedly died after months of sustained abuse at the hands of both her stepfather and mother. Both Julio and Sharon Carrillo were arrested the day after Marissa’s lifeless body was discovered at the Stockton Springs home the family shared. 

The possible sentence for the Class A felony is anywhere from 25 years to life in prison, with prosecutors reportedly seeking the maximum penalty in the case. 

Julio and Sharon Carrillo reportedly both admitted participating in the months-long abuse of Marissa to Maine State Police detectives in interviews the day Marissa was discovered and the following day. Both changed their story, ultimately pointing the finger at each other. 

Both have been held at Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset since their Feb. 26 arrest. Julio Carrillo was committed to the custody of the sheriff following his sentence, which he will begin serving immediately. It is unclear where Julio will be housed, with a notice to the defendant in the judgment saying “your sentence does not include any assurance about the location of the facility where you will be housed during your confinement.”

Lawyers for Sharon have moved to have her statements suppressed, alleging that she was not able to waive her Miranda rights and was actually a victim of Julio rather than an equal participant. 

While Julio elected to change his plea to guilty, Sharon remains dedicated to fighting the charges against her and is scheduled to go to trial in December this year. 

In addition to being sentenced to 55 years in prison, Julio Carrillo will have to pay $6,100 to the Victim Compensation Board. 

The Maine Victim Compensation Board provides financial reimbursement for losses suffered by victims of violent crime and their families, according to the Maine Attorney General’s Office.

Sharon and Julio Carrillo have three children together, with two toddler-aged when Marissa was killed, and Sharon pregnant with the third when she was arrested. 

All three children reportedly live with the Carrillo family in New York, with Julio also listing a New York address when signing the judgment against him. 

See also

Maine Legislature recommends three of five child abuse, protection bills ought to pass

DHHS commissioner says LePage bill addresses questions, concerns about agency

Mother, stepfather arrested following 10-year-old daughter's death in Stockton Springs 

Mother, stepfather accused of murdering daughter to make first court appearance Wednesday 

Bail set at $500k for mother, stepfather accused of murdering daughter 

Sen. Thibodeau calls on Governor for investigation into DHHS following girl's murder 

Searsport schools plan 'Dress Blue' day in remembrance of slain girl 

Sen. Thibodeau issues statement following LePage remarks on murdered 10-year-old

Update: State investigation into Marissa Kennedy's death to take place in two phases 

Sharon, Julio Carrillo indicted for murder of 10-year-old Marissa Kennedy

Attorney for Sharon Carrillo seeks bail reduction, cites spousal abuse 

Maine Children's Trust donations grow following Stockton Spring girl's death 

Sharon Carrillo lawyer accuses state of deception

Carrillos plead not guilty to charges of murdering 10-year-old

Tensions run high in Waldo County Court as Sharon Carrillo lawyers argue to have prosecutors disqualified

Carrillo prosecutors to remain on case, judge decides

Maine Supreme Court to decide whether Sharon Carrillo prosecutors stay on case

OPEGA returns phase one report into abuse deaths of two Maine children

Gov. LePage steps in for Department of Health and Human Services at Augusta oversight hearing

Government Oversight Committee issues subpoena for DHHHS Commissioner, LePage responds  

Gov. LePage signs four of five proposed child welfare reform bills into law

Prosecutors seek joint trial for Carrillos, with separate juries for each

Sharon Carrillo lawyers file to suppress evidence, sever trials; claim torture at hands of husband

Prosecutors request further testing of Sharon Carrillo after her attorneys move to have statements suppressed

Mother, stepfather to get separate trials in murder of 10-year-old, judge says

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com