Pair Convicted of Murder in Death of Baby Daughter
A jury convicted a Monterey Park couple of second-degree murder Tuesday in the death of their 18-month-old daughter, who died after she was violently shaken.
Patricia Inez Vildosola, 40, and William Jacobo Jr., 28, also were found guilty on two counts of child abuse and one count of assault causing the death of a child under the age of 8.
The verdict came after two days of deliberations and more than a month of trial.
“I hope this sends a message to battering and abusive parents,” said prosecutor Cheri Lewis. The couple have been in custody since the death of their daughter, Destiny, in December 1995.
Destiny began her life addicted to cocaine and was taken from her parents’ custody but returned to their care three months before she died, the prosecutor said. For much of her life, Destiny lived with Joanne Garza, a foster mother, who cried as the verdict was read.
Destiny’s death led to the firing of the Department of Children’s Services social worker and supervisor assigned to her case.
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