Woman Gets 15 Years In Prison For Death Of Child Who Died After Eating Chili Powder
VICTORVILLE (CBSLA.com) — An Apple Valley woman Monday was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for the death of a 2-year-old girl who died from complications after eating chili powder.
Amanda Dawn Sorensen, 23, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in November in connection to the death of her boyfriend's child.
Sorenson was arrested in Jan. 2013 after the child suffered a seizure after ingesting chili powder at an Apple Valley home. The girl was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The 23-year-old gave the girl, identified in court documents as Joileen G., the spice as a form of punishment, reportedly making her swallow a large amount.
Sorenson must serve the full sentence and is not eligible for parole.
The child's mother, Brenda Lopez, spoke out after the sentencing.
"I'm happy that we finally got closure for Joileen," Lopez said. "I just really wish (Sorensen) would get longer in prison for what she's done."
While Sorensen didn't share any words in court, Joileen's aunt, Christina Laliberte, made an impact statement.
"She made a choice to force chili powder down my niece's mouth and cuff her hand over her mouth, which caused her to suffocate," Laliberte said.