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Mother Sentenced to Prison in Abuse Case

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A 22-year-old Oxnard woman who is nine months pregnant with her fifth child was sentenced to five years in state prison Friday for repeatedly beating and tying up her 3-year-old son.

Laura Tafoya was so close to giving birth that she was having contractions hours before her sentencing in Ventura County Municipal Court. County social workers plan to take custody of the baby once it arrives.

Tafoya pleaded guilty last month to felony child abuse and admitted to an allegation that she inflicted great bodily injury on the toddler. She told investigators that she tied up the boy at night to prevent him from getting to the refrigerator.

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Her husband, Jorge Cochran, also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor child abuse.

Judge Steven Hintz sentenced Tafoya to two years in prison for the child abuse offense and an extra three years for the special allegation.

“This particular offense is a very serious one,” Hintz said. “It consists of numerous acts over a period of time.”

Prosecutors said the boy suffered repeated beatings and abuse, showing scars virtually all over his body. None of the other children was abused, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Jacqueline D. Wise.

“What she did was wrong,” Wise told the court. “She needs to be punished and we as a society need to protect the other children.”

Defense attorney William Maxwell argued for probation, saying that a state prison term would destroy the family and prevent Tafoya from receiving the psychological help she needs.

Cochran, who did not do as much physical harm to the child, received 90 days in jail and three years probation. He must surrender to officials on Jan. 2.

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