Neglect Led to Daughter’s Death, Woman Concedes
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An Anaheim woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to three counts of felony child abuse in connection with the malnutrition death of her 13-month-old daughter.
Jacquelyn Starr Gutierrez, 22, entered her plea before Orange County Superior Court Judge Kelly MacEachern, who set sentencing for Feb. 27.
Gutierrez also admitted to a sentencing enhancement that her daughter’s death was due to neglect, a court clerk told City News Service.
Samantha Rose Gutierrez died March 26, 2002. In the months before her death, police and social workers visited her home three times to investigate reports of abuse but did not deem the child in immediate danger.
A pattern of maternal neglect and abuse led to the toddler’s death from ketoacidosis, a chemical imbalance in the blood caused by malnutrition, prosecutors said.
Three other children removed from the home after Samantha’s death showed no signs of malnutrition, authorities said.
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