La Habra woman accused of killing infant son pleads not guilty

SANTA ANA — A La Habra woman accused of killing her infant son by throwing from a fourth-floor parking structure pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of murder and child abuse, officials said.
Sonia Hermosillo, 31, is accused of killing her 7-month-old son, Noe Medina Jr., who died two days after she allegedly removed a protective helmet he wore because of a medical condition and tossed him off a parking struck at The Children’s Hospital of Orange County on Aug. 22, 2011.
Wednesday arraignment was Hermosillo’s first time entering a plea, Orange County District Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Farrah Emami said.
Her attorneys had previously argued that she was mentally incompetent to stand trial, however a judge ruled last month that Hermosillo was, in fact, mentally capable of understanding the proceedings and ordered the trial process to begin.
Investigators arrested Hermosillo when she drove back to the hospital, where police were investigating the baby’s fall, authorities said. 
A motive in the alleged killing has not been officially released, however Hermosillo’s husband, Noe Medina, has previously said she suffered from postpartum depression and had difficulty accepting their infant son, who suffered from treatable medical conditions.
Hermosillo was being held in lieu of $1 million bail, Emami said. She was ordered to return to court June 22 for a preliminary hearing.
If convicted as charged, Hermosillo faces up to 50 years to life in state prison.
Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email