California mom sentenced for drowning toddler son in bathtub
VISTA, Calif. — A California woman who told police she drowned her 21-month-old son in a bathtub to keep him away from her estranged husband was sentenced Friday to between 21 years and life in state prison, reports CBS affiliate KFMB.
Veronica Rivas, 30, was arrested following the Sept. 10, 2014, death of her son, Elijah. Police and paramedics were sent to Rivas’ home at bout 7:45 p.m. that evening, when they tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate the child.
She pleaded guilty last month to second-degree murder and child abuse.
Rivas was found unconscious in another part of the house and was taken to the hospital. Two days later, she was arrested after confessing to the crime.
Rivas told police she wanted to kill her son to protect him from his father, from whom she said was estranged and with whom she was involved in a custody battle, according to court testimony.