OXNARD : Woman Admits Abandoning Baby

A 22-year-old Santa Ana woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges that she abandoned her baby daughter on the Pacific Coast Highway shoulder in Oxnard and sped away.

Lori Carlson admitted in Ventura County Superior Court that she left 10-month-old Brittany Carlson beside the road on May 29 after arguing with her former boyfriend.

Carlson faces up to six years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of willful cruelty to a child, which is a felony, Deputy Dist. Atty. Lela Henke-Dobroth said.

However, Judge Charles R. McGrath said Carlson likely will be put on probation rather than in prison.

An additional charge of felony child abandonment will be dropped at Carlson’s sentencing hearing, scheduled for Aug. 28, Henke-Dobroth said. Carlson remains in Ventura County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail.

Witnesses testified that on the night of the incident, Carlson appeared to have been drinking and tried several times to foist her daughter off on other people.

Jesus Garcia testified that he saw Carlson leave Brittany on the shoulder and drive away.

Garcia said he put the child in his car and caught up with Carlson down the road, but she refused to take her daughter back.

Garcia then turned the baby over to police.

Brittany and Carlson’s other daughter, Alicia, 3, are staying with their maternal grandparents in Santa Ana, Deputy Public Defender Christina Briles said.

Briles said Tuesday that Carlson “reacted emotionally, coupled with an alcohol problem. She is receiving some treatment.”

Carlson will undergo a psychological evaluation before sentencing, Henke-Dobroth said.