Springs Mom Pleads Guilty To Child Abuse In Baby's Death
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - A Colorado Springs woman whose baby drowned in a tub of hot water while she was across the street buying cigarettes and chicken wings has pleaded guilty to child abuse resulting in death.
Estella Toleafoa, 23, faces 24 to 48 years in prison at a sentencing hearing scheduled for Jan. 20.
According to an arrest affidavit, Toleafoa told police she left her 9-month-old son and his 2-year-old half-brother in the tub with about an inch of water in it March 8 while she went to the store. An autopsy report said the baby drowned and was scalded.
The Gazette reports a tearful Toleafoa told the judge Friday she wanted to take responsibility for her actions. The baby's father is a Fort Carson soldier who was serving in Afghanistan.
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