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| Elizabeth Escalona |
A Dallas judge today sentenced Elizabeth Escalona to 99 years in prison for beating her 2-year-old daughter into a coma and gluing her hands to a wall because of potty-training problems. Escalona, 23, had pleaded guilty in July to a felony count of injuring a child and admitted earlier this week to abusing daughter Jocelyn Cedillo, saying, "Only a monster does that." But she rejected a plea bargain that called for a 45-year sentence and instead asked the judge for a second chance.
Police said she kicked Jocelyn in the stomach, beat her with a milk jug and then Super Glued her hands to an apartment wall. A doctor testified that Jocelyn suffered bleeding in her brain, which put her in a coma for a couple of days; a broken rib; multiple bruises and bite marks; and skin torn from her hands from being stuck to the wall, the Associated Press says.
Quote
"But I can't consider that evidence outside of the context of this trial.
To me it comes down to a single, salient fact:
On September 7, 2011, you savagely beat your child to the edge of death. For this, you must be punished".
.......Judge Larry Mitchell
Escalona had no visible reaction to the verdict, but her family members "wailed and wept with their heads in their laps as TV cameras surrounded them".
Her lawyer, Angie N'Duka, asked for probation or a prison sentence of less than 10 years, arguing that Escalona was a "train wreck" waiting to happen because of broken home, abuse and a childhood of drug use and gangs, AP notes.
But N'Duka did not downplay Jocelyn's injuries, calling them "despicable".
"But then the question is, `What is justice for Jocelyn? ... Giving Elizabeth the opportunity to be a better mother, giving her the opportunity to get counseling services, will be justice for Jocelyn."
Escalona will be eligible for parole in 30 years. Jocelyn and her four brothers and sisters are being cared for by Escalona's mother, Ofeila.
Police said she kicked Jocelyn in the stomach, beat her with a milk jug and then Super Glued her hands to an apartment wall. A doctor testified that Jocelyn suffered bleeding in her brain, which put her in a coma for a couple of days; a broken rib; multiple bruises and bite marks; and skin torn from her hands from being stuck to the wall, the Associated Press says.
Quote
"But I can't consider that evidence outside of the context of this trial.
To me it comes down to a single, salient fact:
On September 7, 2011, you savagely beat your child to the edge of death. For this, you must be punished".
.......Judge Larry Mitchell
Escalona had no visible reaction to the verdict, but her family members "wailed and wept with their heads in their laps as TV cameras surrounded them".
Her lawyer, Angie N'Duka, asked for probation or a prison sentence of less than 10 years, arguing that Escalona was a "train wreck" waiting to happen because of broken home, abuse and a childhood of drug use and gangs, AP notes.
But N'Duka did not downplay Jocelyn's injuries, calling them "despicable".
"But then the question is, `What is justice for Jocelyn? ... Giving Elizabeth the opportunity to be a better mother, giving her the opportunity to get counseling services, will be justice for Jocelyn."
Escalona will be eligible for parole in 30 years. Jocelyn and her four brothers and sisters are being cared for by Escalona's mother, Ofeila.
