Executive Summary
- Erik Mendoza pleaded guilty to first-degree intentional homicide for the 2023 death of Prince McCree.
- Prosecutors have recommended a minimum 50-year prison term, with sentencing scheduled for June 5.
- The case prompted the ‘Prince Act,’ expanding Wisconsin’s Amber Alert criteria to cover more missing children scenarios.
- Co-defendant David Pietura previously received a life sentence for his involvement in the murder.
MILWAUKEE — A second individual has been convicted in connection with the 2023 homicide of a five-year-old boy in Milwaukee, a case that subsequently drove significant legislative reform in Wisconsin’s missing children alert system. Erik Mendoza, 18, pleaded guilty on Monday to five criminal charges, including first-degree intentional homicide and second-degree recklessly endangering safety, according to court records.
As part of a plea agreement, a sixth charge of physical abuse of a child involving repeated acts causing death was dismissed but was read into the court record for sentencing consideration. Mendoza is scheduled to be sentenced on June 5. While the charges carry the possibility of life in prison without parole, prosecutors are recommending a minimum term of 50 years before eligibility for release, citing Mendoza’s age at the time of the crime and his mental health history, as reported by WITI.
The investigation began on October 25, 2023, when the family of 5-year-old Prince McCree reported him missing. Authorities established that McCree had stayed home from school due to illness and had gone to the basement of the residence in the 2400 block of 54th Street to play video games. The basement was occupied by David Pietura, now 29, and Mendoza, who was 15 at the time. Police reports indicate that McCree frequently spent time with the two residents.
Following an unsuccessful search by the family, the Milwaukee Police Department requested the issuance of an Amber Alert. However, the request was denied at the time because the circumstances did not meet the strict criteria then required for such an alert, specifically regarding descriptive information about a suspect or vehicle. McCree’s body was discovered the following morning in a dumpster approximately one mile from his home. Forensic evidence presented by investigators indicated the child had been bound and subjected to severe blunt force trauma involving a barbell and a concrete birdfeeder.
Co-defendant David Pietura was sentenced to life in prison in 2024 for his role in the homicide. The inability of law enforcement to issue an Amber Alert during the critical initial hours of McCree’s disappearance, along with a similar case involving 10-year-old Iliana Peters, prompted the passage of the bipartisan ‘Prince Act.’ Signed into law almost two years ago, this legislation expanded the criteria for issuing alerts to include cases where a child’s location is unknown and they are unable to return home due to age or disability, regardless of suspect information.
It is important to note that all individuals within the criminal justice system are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Judicial and Legislative Ramifications
The guilty plea by Mendoza marks the final phase of the criminal prosecution regarding Prince McCree’s death, shifting the focus from fact-finding to penalty enforcement. The recommended 50-year sentence reflects a judicial balancing act, weighing the extreme severity of the capital offense against the defendant’s juvenile status at the time of the crime. Beyond the courtroom, this case serves as a pivotal reference point for Wisconsin public safety policy. The enactment of the Prince Act demonstrates a legislative responsiveness to procedural gaps in law enforcement, ensuring that future missing person investigations involving vulnerable minors are not hindered by rigid criteria regarding suspect descriptions.
