Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Tulare County Prosecutors Outraged by Lenient Sentence in Baby's Hot Car Death
bill-new-mug-002
By Bill McEwen, News Director
Published 3 years ago on
October 7, 2021

Share

Eustajia Dominguez Mojica, whose 3-year-old daughter died after being left in a car in Visalia during a June heatwave, has received a one-year jail sentence.

Eustajia Dominguez Mojica was sentenced to one year in jail for involuntary manslaughter, child abuse, and misdemeanor drug charges. (Tulare County DA’s Office)

Tulare County Superior Court Judge Michael Sheltzer handed down the sentence, which included credit for time served and a suspended state prison stint of more than eight years.

Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward and the case’s prosecutors objected vehemently to the sentence, noting that the DA’s Office declined to offer a plea bargain to Mojica.

“The Office of the District Attorney made no offers in this case and does not agree with the sentencing resolution,” the DA’s Office said in a news release issued Thursday.

Baby Left in Car While Mom Processed Marijuana

According to court documents,  Mojica, 29, drove to her sister’s Visalia residence and parked on the street in the sun on June 3. While Mojica processed marijuana, her daughter stayed in the car for more than two hours in triple-digit heat.

After someone at the house asked about the baby girl, she was found in the car and brought inside. She later died at the hospital.

During the investigation of the child’s death, the DA’s Office said, officers learned that Mojica was warned numerous times by the child’s father about leaving the children in hot cars. The investigation also uncovered evidence of ongoing child neglect, according to the DA’s Office.

Mojica Pleaded Guilty to All Charges

Mojica pleaded guilty on Aug. 31 to all charges. Among the counts: child abuse with the special allegation of willful harm or injury resulting in death, involuntary manslaughter, and several misdemeanor drug charges.

If Mojica violates her probation, a judge could order her to serve the suspended prison term.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

See How Valley Lawmakers Voted on a Bill That Chills Free Speech

DON'T MISS

Meet Goldie Hawn: The Adorable Yorkie with a Heart of Gold

DON'T MISS

Police Investigating Possible Vandalism at Jewish Temple, Catholic Church

DON'T MISS

Valley PBS’ Top 2 Executives Departing. Were Their Resignations a Surprise?

DON'T MISS

Unfiltered Clip: Insights from Dr. Trita Parsi on Navigating the Israel-Palestine Conflict

DON'T MISS

Hamas Is Sending a Delegation to Egypt for Further Cease-Fire Talks in the Latest Sign of Progress

DON'T MISS

President Joe Biden Calls Japan and India ‘Xenophobic’ Nations That Do Not Welcome Immigrants

DON'T MISS

DEA’s Marijuana Reclassification Could Revive California’s Struggling Pot Industry

DON'T MISS

How to Reclaim the Israel-Palestine Debate From the Radicals on Both Sides

DON'T MISS

US Airstrike Targeting Al-Qaida Leader in Syria Killed a Farmer, American Military Says

UP NEXT

Meet Goldie Hawn: The Adorable Yorkie with a Heart of Gold

UP NEXT

Police Investigating Possible Vandalism at Jewish Temple, Catholic Church

UP NEXT

Valley PBS’ Top 2 Executives Departing. Were Their Resignations a Surprise?

UP NEXT

Hamas Is Sending a Delegation to Egypt for Further Cease-Fire Talks in the Latest Sign of Progress

UP NEXT

President Joe Biden Calls Japan and India ‘Xenophobic’ Nations That Do Not Welcome Immigrants

UP NEXT

DEA’s Marijuana Reclassification Could Revive California’s Struggling Pot Industry

UP NEXT

How to Reclaim the Israel-Palestine Debate From the Radicals on Both Sides

UP NEXT

Today’s Campus Protests Aren’t Nearly as Big or Violent as Those of the Vietnam Era

UP NEXT

Valley Children’s Gets ‘Historic’ Gift to Boost Cancer Treatments. How Big Is It?

UP NEXT

Californians Are Protecting Themselves from Wildfire. Why Is There an Insurance Crisis?

Bill McEwen,
News Director
Bill McEwen is news director and columnist for GV Wire. He joined GV Wire in August 2017 after 37 years at The Fresno Bee. With The Bee, he served as Opinion Editor, City Hall reporter, Metro columnist, sports columnist and sports editor through the years. His work has been frequently honored by the California Newspapers Publishers Association, including authoring first-place editorials in 2015 and 2016. Bill and his wife, Karen, are proud parents of two adult sons, and they have two grandsons. You can contact Bill at 559-492-4031 or at Send an Email

Valley PBS’ Top 2 Executives Departing. Were Their Resignations a Surprise?

Entertainment /

15 hours ago

Unfiltered Clip: Insights from Dr. Trita Parsi on Navigating the Israel-Palestine Conflict

Video /

15 hours ago

Hamas Is Sending a Delegation to Egypt for Further Cease-Fire Talks in the Latest Sign of Progress

17 hours ago

President Joe Biden Calls Japan and India ‘Xenophobic’ Nations That Do Not Welcome Immigrants

17 hours ago

DEA’s Marijuana Reclassification Could Revive California’s Struggling Pot Industry

17 hours ago

How to Reclaim the Israel-Palestine Debate From the Radicals on Both Sides

17 hours ago

US Airstrike Targeting Al-Qaida Leader in Syria Killed a Farmer, American Military Says

17 hours ago

Today’s Campus Protests Aren’t Nearly as Big or Violent as Those of the Vietnam Era

18 hours ago

Mike Yaz Homers at Fenway In Giants Win After Visit From His Hall of Fame Grandpa

18 hours ago

Lagging Revenue Drives California Budget Deficit as Deadline Nears

18 hours ago

See How Valley Lawmakers Voted on a Bill That Chills Free Speech

The House of Representatives passed a bill with bipartisan support on Wednesday that would establish a broader definition of antisemitism fo...

2 hours ago

2 hours ago

See How Valley Lawmakers Voted on a Bill That Chills Free Speech

2 hours ago

Meet Goldie Hawn: The Adorable Yorkie with a Heart of Gold

13 hours ago

Police Investigating Possible Vandalism at Jewish Temple, Catholic Church

Entertainment /
15 hours ago

Valley PBS’ Top 2 Executives Departing. Were Their Resignations a Surprise?

Video /
15 hours ago

Unfiltered Clip: Insights from Dr. Trita Parsi on Navigating the Israel-Palestine Conflict

17 hours ago

Hamas Is Sending a Delegation to Egypt for Further Cease-Fire Talks in the Latest Sign of Progress

17 hours ago

President Joe Biden Calls Japan and India ‘Xenophobic’ Nations That Do Not Welcome Immigrants

17 hours ago

DEA’s Marijuana Reclassification Could Revive California’s Struggling Pot Industry

MENU

CONNECT WITH US

Search

Send this to a friend