2 Plead Not Guilty in Child’s Death
The 18-year-old Oxnard parents accused of beating their 2-year-old daughter to death in June pleaded not guilty Friday to murder and six felony child-abuse charges.
Gabriela and Rogelio Hernandez appeared briefly in Municipal Court, entering their individual pleas through two court-appointed attorneys.
Deputy Public Defender Doug Daily is representing Rogelio Hernandez. Bill Maxwell, an attorney with Conflict Defense Associates in Ventura, is representing Gabriela Hernandez.
The toddler, Joselyn, died at a friend’s birthday party June 22 from what the county coroner described as blows to the stomach.
The child had previously been taken away from the parents when she was 6 weeks old and hospitalized with broken legs, cracked ribs and week-old burns to her hands and feet.
Joselyn eventually went to live with her grandmother, but when the woman died the child was returned to her parents, who have a second child.
Prosecutors have charged the teenage parents with murder and six child-abuse offenses for injuries caused between June 18 and 22, injuries that included burns, fractured limbs, bruises and lesions. They face up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted, Deputy Dist. Atty. Dee Corona said.
A bail hearing has been set for Monday, at which time prosecutors plan to ask for a bail increase of $1 million. Bail is now set at $250,000 each.
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