Woman pleads guilty in death of toddler who ingested chili powder
An Apple Valley woman pleaded guilty Monday to charges that she fatally poisoned her boyfriend’s 2-year-old toddler with chili powder.
Amanda Sorensen, 22, had been charged with murder for the child’s death. She agreed to plead guilty to the lesser charge of second-degree murder, according to San Bernardino County Superior Court records.
The toddler, Joileen Garcia, suffered a seizure after ingesting chili powder in a home in the 20000 block of Cayuga Road, authorities said. She was taken to a hospital, where she died.
Sorensen had been taking care of the toddler at the time of the incident, according to a San Bernardino County criminal complaint. Sorensen was arrested in January 2013.
Sentencing is set for Jan. 12.
For breaking news in Los Angeles and throughout California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA. She can be reached at veronica.rocha@latimes.com.
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