A California mother is facing murder charges after allegedly leaving her 4-year-old daughter to die in a “partially submerged” SUV, after crashing while driving under the influence.
Authorities upgraded charges against Juliette Acosta, 26, on Friday, following an investigation into a March 8 DUI crash near Hickman, along Canal Bank Road, that killer her child, Reagan Herrin. She allegedly crashed into an irrigation canal, according to ABC 10.
The Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office said in a press release that Acosta now faces charges of murder, vehicular manslaughter, DUI causing injury, child endangerment likely to cause great bodily harm or death, and resisting or obstructing emergency personnel. Acosta was initially charged only with felony drunk driving.
Following the crash, the defendant allegedly left the vehicle with her daughter still trapped inside, according to the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office.
“According to the criminal complaint, Acosta is alleged to have been driving with a blood alcohol content nearly three times the legal limit of .08%, when the fatal crash occurred,” the DA’s office said.
“The charging document includes circumstances in aggravation, alleging that Acosta left her partially submerged car while her daughter remained trapped inside, failing to render aid to her child, being located taking a bath while her daughter remained in peril at the crash scene, and causing the death of a vulnerable victim.”
Acosta’s attorney, however, told The Independent that the claim about her bathing was not true.
“Timeline-wise, it’s almost impossible to have done both of those,” attorney Gil Somera said. “Time-wise, you can’t go take a bath while your daughter’s drowning if it’s in [a] canal, not next to a home…logically, it just doesn’t make sense.”
The Sacramento Bee reports that Reagan’s uncle found her in the vehicle and helped pulled her out, with the assistance of a California Highway Patrol sheriff’s deputy. Reagan died the following day at Modesto’s Memorial Medical Center.
Acosta faces life in prison if convicted on all charges against her. She remains behind bars without bail.
“We recognize the significant interest the community has in this case,” District Attorney Jeff Laugero said. “However, our responsibility to both the victim and the integrity of our legal system requires a thorough investigation based on the evidence and the law. This methodical approach ensures that justice is pursued based on accurate information.
“I appreciate the public’s patience and understanding in protecting the process and ensuring our ethical obligations are met. Justice requires our absolute adherence to these standards.”
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[Feature Photo via GoFundMe]
