East San Diego
An East San Diego woman whom police say called them on Christmas Eve and told them, “I just killed my son,” pleaded not guilty Monday to murder and felony child abuse charges.
Municipal Court Judge Robert P. McDonald set bail at $250,000 for Bonnie Tafoya, 19. A preliminary hearing was set for Feb. 3.
Authorities found James Robert Deems, 22 months, unconscious on a bed in Tafoya’s apartment Dec. 24. Paramedics revived the boy briefly, but he lost consciousness by the time he arrived at Children’s Hospital. He was placed on life-support systems but died Christmas Day. Police spokesman Bill Robinson said the boy apparently had been smothered with a pillow. Robinson said the boy’s father, Daniel Robert Deems, was home at the time but was not involved.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
