Mom Begs for Mercy After Daughter Dies at 40 Pounds With 'Maggots Crawling Out of Her Body'

A New Mexico mother broke down in court as she begged a judge for mercy after her 16-year-old special needs daughter died weighing just 40 pounds (18 kg) with doctors reporting 'maggots crawling out of her body' when the teen was taken to hospital.

Prosecutors described the case as one of prolonged abuse rather than a tragic mistake, as the mother was sentenced to 15 years behind bars.

Court Hears Details of Child Abuse Case

The defendant, Doraelia Espinoza, pleaded no contest to reckless abuse of a child resulting in death and an additional child abuse charge, according to the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office.

The case centred on the death of Espinoza's teenage daughter, who was rushed to hospital in Albuquerque in 2022.

Prosecutors sought an 18-year prison sentence, citing the severity of the neglect. The defence requested 12 years. Judge Bruce Fox ultimately imposed a 15-year term.

Condition of the Teen When Hospitalised

Court filings described harrowing medical findings when the girl arrived at hospital. Doctors said she was extremely malnourished, with no fat tissue or muscle, and weighed just 40 pounds. Prosecutors said she also had scrapes and rashes around her vaginal area.

'She also had maggots crawling out of her body,' prosecutors wrote in court documents, detailing the condition of the teen at the time she was examined.

Prosecutors Say Abuse Was 'Prolonged'

Bernalillo County Deputy District Attorney Savannah Brandenburg-Koch told the court the case did not involve a momentary lapse or a parent losing control.

'This case is not a tragic accident, a lapse in judgement, a parent that is frustrated,' she said. 'This case is about prolonged abuse.'

Judge Fox echoed that assessment during sentencing, saying the child's suffering did not occur in a single incident. 'It was physical injury and suffering of this child that took place, it did not happen in a moment or a reckless quick decision,' he said. 'This happened at a minimum of five or six days.'

Investigators Describe Emotional Toll

The investigation also took a heavy toll on those involved. Bernalillo County Detective Roger Garcia said the case was especially difficult for his team.

'And not just because of the harm done but who inflicted it,' he said, referring to the fact that the abuse was allegedly carried out by the girl's mother.

Mother's Plea for Mercy

During sentencing, Espinoza addressed the court through a translator, pleading for leniency. She told the judge she never intended for her daughter to die and described herself as a devoted parent.

'I never wanted this,' she said, according to courtroom reporting from local CBS affiliate KRQE. '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 hard working mother who does everything for her children.'

Espinoza is the mother of five living children.

Sentence Handed Down

Despite her plea, the judge ruled that a lengthy prison term was warranted given the evidence presented. Prosecutors argued the sentence reflected the seriousness of the abuse and the vulnerability of the victim, who had special needs.

The case has drawn renewed attention to child abuse investigations involving disabled children, highlighting the warning signs of prolonged neglect and the role of medical evidence in bringing such cases to court.