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Boy, 4, begs dad for bread in heartbreaking video before starving

Heartbreaking video footage shown to a Texas jury during a murder trial shows the moment a four-year-old boy begged his father for bread just days before he starved to death.

In one of the videos, Benjamin Cervera could be heard asking for bread, water or milk, crying and pleading: “Daddy, daddy, I want some bread.” The little boy died of hunger on August 17, 2021.

More than 30 videos were shown in court this week as prosecutors argued why the boy's father, 31-year-old Brandon Cervera, should be held responsible, KSAT reports.

Benjamin Cervera was heard in one of the videos pleading,

Benjamin Cervera was heard in one of the videos pleading, “Daddy, daddy, I want some bread” (KSAT)

Cervera is accused of starving the child and is accused of seriously injuring a child. If convicted, he could face life in prison.

The court was also shown video clips from June 2021 of the boy searching the kitchen and fridge in the middle of the night.

In one video, he is seen grabbing a random selection of snacks, but footage later shows that there were locks on the cabinets and refrigerator.

Text messages between Cervera and his ex-wife show Benjamin was once given bread and Cervera stated, “He doesn't need to eat dinner,” Detective Lawrence Saiz of the San Antonio Police Department testified during the trial.

The court was also shown video clips from June 2021 of the boy searching the kitchen and refrigerator in the middle of the night (KSAT)The court was also shown video clips from June 2021 of the boy searching the kitchen and refrigerator in the middle of the night (KSAT)

The court was also shown video clips from June 2021 of the boy searching the kitchen and refrigerator in the middle of the night (KSAT)

Officer Omar Perez, who visited the home for a welfare check, told the court that Benjamin had “visible injuries.”

“He had bruises on his eyes and torso and was skinny… you could see his bones,” he said.

Bexar County Chief Medical Examiner Kimberly Molina confirmed Perez's claims.

“He died of starvation, his death was ruled a homicide,” Molina testified, according to KSAT.

Cervera faces life in prison if convicted in his son's death (KSAT)Cervera faces life in prison if convicted in his son's death (KSAT)

Cervera faces life in prison if convicted in his son's death (KSAT)

However, Cervera previously told police that the boy had behavioral problems and had injured himself.

“This child was not starving or dehydrated, and that will be scientifically proven,” defense attorney Jodi Soyars argued in opening arguments.

The trial continues this week with the defense's case.