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Ohio mom and ex-boyfriend guilty in toddler’s death

TOLEDO, Ohio - An Ohio woman has pleaded guilty to murder in the slaying of her 18-month-old daughter, whose remains were found in a box three months after she was reported missing. 

Angela Steinfurth, 25, entered a type of guilty plea to murder and obstructing justice under which she maintains her innocence but acknowledges prosecutors had enough evidence to convict her. Her plea deal calls for a life sentence with parole eligibility after 18 years.

Steinfurth appeared in a Toledo courtroom Tuesday. Her ex-boyfriend, Steven King II, also pleaded guilty Tuesday to aggravated murder and other counts and was convicted to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years, according to The Blade.

CBS affiliate WTOL reports authorities, family members and numerous volunteers spent months searching for Elaina Steinfurth after she was reported missing on June 2, 2013.

The girl’s body was found in King’s garage on September 5. An autopsy later revealed the Elaina had multiple broken bones after suffering “non-accidental trauma.” Her death was ruled a homicide on Nov. 6.  

King said he found the Elaina injured and tried to resuscitate her. He said he panicked after blood came out of her mouth so he put his hand over her mouth and nose and suffocated her, according to the station.

The 24-year-old reportedly said he then wrapped Elaina’s body in a blanket, put it in a box and hid it in his garage.

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