School is blamed over the death of boy, 7, who was starved and locked away by cruel stepmom

By RACHEL BOWMAN, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 17:00, 15 June 2026 | Updated: 17:02, 15 June 2026 The family of a New York boy who was starved to death by his stepmother has blamed his school for failing to report his absences after he stopped attending class. Leticia Bravo was arrested after bringing Peter Cuacuas's lifeless body to a hospital in Newburgh, about 60 miles outside of New York City, on February 10, 2021. She later pled guilty to manslaughter over his death.  An autopsy conducted by the Orange County Medical Examiner concluded that Peter, who weighed just 37 pounds, had died as a result of malnutrition.  Police discovered that Bravo, who was the boy's primary caregiver and the girlfriend of his father, had kept the boy locked in a hidden room. According to the Orange County District Attorney's Office, Peter stopped logging in for virtual schooling at Temple Hill Academy in January 2021, despite numerous conversations between Bravo and Peter's teachers and other school representatives. Jose Cuacuas, Peter's brother, filed a lawsuit against the Newburgh Enlarged City School District in 2022, alleging that the district had failed to notify authorities that he had missed class for more than a month. On Monday, a district spokesperson confirmed to the Daily Mail that the lawsuit was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.  'The loss of a child is a tragedy that deeply affects our entire community. Our thoughts remain with the student's family and loved ones,' the spokesperson said. Peter Cuacuas, seven, weighed just 37 pounds when he died of malnutrition in February 2021 Leticia Bravo was arrested after bringing the boy's lifeless body to a hospital in Newburgh  'The district has resolved this matter through a settlement. Consistent with the terms of the agreement, the settlement includes no wrongdoing or liability as to the district.' Jose accused the district of not complying 'in a timely manner' with its 'reporting responsibilities' after the second grader's 'absences from school became excessive,' according to a copy of the lawsuit obtained by the Times Union.   'Child protective agencies would have investigated why Peter Cuacuas was not attending school, would have discovered that he was being locked and secreted in a room in the residence of Leticia Bravo,' the lawsuit said.   '(They would have) discovered that he was being starved to death and would have reduced or prevented the pain and suffering that Peter Cuacuas endured before his death from malnutrition' the lawsuit said. Bravo, now 43, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 15 years behind bars for Peter's death in 2022. At the time Bravo pled guilty, she admitted being Peter's primary caregiver, knowingly under-feeding the seven-year-old, and failing to provide him with medical attention that she knew he required.  Bravo also admitted that she intended to cause physical injury to the boy and that she recklessly created a grave risk of serious physical injury to the boy, which ultimately culminated in his death. Peter was in Bravo's care every day except Saturday, which he spent with his father, Arturo Cuacuas. Cuacuas, now 58, pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide in 2022 and was released from prison one year later, records show. Peter was in Bravo's care every day except Saturday, which he spent with his father, Arturo Cuacuas. He pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide Peter's brother sued the school district after it was revealed he stopped logging in for virtual schooling at Temple Hill Academy (pictured) a month before he died Bravo admitted being Peter's primary caregiver, knowingly under-feeding the seven-year-old, and failing to provide him with medical attention 'Although this father was not Peter's primary caregiver and did not live in the same residence as Peter, he bears responsibility for Peter's death for not intervening when it should have become apparent that his son was not receiving appropriate care,' said District Attorney David Hoovler.  'It is unthinkable that someone would accept that responsibility and then deny a child the barest necessities of life. It is truly disturbing how this child was kept hidden from school authorities before he died.' The Daily Mail contacted Jose's lawyer for comment. The comments below have been moderated in advance. 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