AZUSA : Mother Pleads No Contest in Newborn Son’s Killing
A 23-year-old Azusa child-care worker accused of killing her newborn son at birth has pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter.
In March, Linda Philhower faced trial on murder charges for the Dec. 29, 1990, death of her eight-pound baby. The infant fell into the toilet when she gave birth at home alone. His decomposing body was found 11 days later in a drawer in Philhower’s bedroom.
The jury found Philhower not guilty of murder but deadlocked on manslaughter.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Hyatt Seligman, who was to retry Philhower this week, said she changed her not guilty plea Wednesday in Pomona Superior Court and agreed to a sentence of 11 years, the maximum allowed.
Philhower, who will be sentenced July 15, will probably serve about 4 1/2 years before parole,Seligman said.
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