A New Mexico woman has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading no contest to reckless child abuse resulting in the death of her 16-year-old daughter. Doraelia Espinoza, 34, was sentenced after the tragic and disturbing circumstances surrounding her daughter’s death were revealed during the investigation.
The Tragic Death
On May 3, 2022, Espinoza, then 32 years old, brought her unresponsive daughter to a hospital, where medical staff determined the child had been deceased for some time. Upon investigation, it was found that the girl had severe health conditions, including blindness and seizures, and was severely malnourished, weighing only 40 pounds at the time of her death — the size of a much younger child.
Further investigation into the conditions of the home revealed a horrifying scene. The girl’s bedroom was infested with flies and covered in feces and blood.
She had maggots on her body, and there were scrapes around her vaginal area. The teenager had no fat tissue or muscle and was in a severely neglected state, as described by Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman.
Prior History of Abuse
This was not the first time Espinoza had been accused of child abuse. In 2019, she had been charged with cruelty to children and deprivation of necessary food, clothing, and shelter after a similar scene was discovered in her home.
At the time, her four other children, ranging from 9 months to 12 years old, were found living in similarly dire conditions. Espinoza failed to show up for court following those charges, and a warrant for her arrest was not served until her daughter’s death in 2022.
Sentencing and Reaction
At the sentencing, the defense requested a 12-year sentence, while the prosecution asked for the maximum of 18 years. Judge Bruce Fox ultimately sentenced Espinoza to 15 years in prison.
“This case is not a tragic accident, a lapse in judgment, a parent that is frustrated, this case is about prolonged abuse,” said Savannah Brandenburg-Koch, Bernalillo County deputy district attorney.
Espinoza, through a translator, expressed remorse in court, saying, “I never wanted this. I want to say that I love my children with my whole heart from the oldest to the youngest. I’m not a bad person, I’m just a hardworking mother who does everything for her children.”
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Sentencing for other related charges is still underway. The case highlights the severe and prolonged abuse that led to the young girl’s death and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting vulnerable children from neglect and harm.
