Sentencing today for mother convicted in her 4-year-old daughter's death

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Sentencing begins today for the woman convicted of murder and injury to a child by omission in the death of her four-year-old daughter.

Macial Sandoval was found guilty of allowing her daughter, Betsabeth, to die from abuse and neglect. The little girl was found unconscious last June. Her body had deep cuts, bruises and fractures.

Sandoval faces up to life in prison. Her partner will also go to trial for the child's death.

Emotions high last week

Last week was an emotional roller coaster inside the courtroom. The defense for Sandoval said someone else is to blame. She sat quietly as closing arguments painted vastly different pictures of her role as mother t Betsabeth.

Horacio Ramos is Betsabeth's father.

"Real sad, angry at the same time because I'm still wondering what the jury would do," Ramos said.

On Friday the focus was on Betsabeth's mother. Prosecutors say the little girl was found with numerous bruises, contusions, and other injuries in June 2011.

During her closing arguments on Friday, assistant district attorney Connie Spence told jurors, "Having a child, being a mother, is not a right, it is a privilege granted by God."

Ramos listened to the argument with tears in his eyes.

"Even though it's not going to bring my daughter's life back, I still want them to get the punishment they deserve," said Ramos.

But defense attorneys put the blame on Sandoval's partner, who they say was at home taking care of Betsabeth while Sandoval was away at work.

"She trusted the homemaker to take care of the home. Don't punish someone for being in love," said defense attorneys.

But Ramos says little Betsabeth deserves justice.

"People like that, I don't think they have a heart, to do something like that to their own child," he said.

The defense did not call any witnesses.

In closing arguments, the prosecution stated, "We knew this was going on before June 3rd. The medical examiner said this was going on way before June 3rd."

The defense says Sandoval was simply not aware of what was going on in the home, saying, "The child became increasingly difficult. She didn't know what the cause was."

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Dad's nonprofit keeps daughter's memory alive

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- In 2010, Mark Rodriguez lost his 22-year-old daughter, Krysta. She was killed by someone who was driving while intoxicated in the dark without headlights.

According to Krysta's family, the driver's blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit. He was sentended to eight years in prison in April 2011.

The tragedy led the victim's father to start an organization named "Krysta's Karing Angels."

The nonprofit's mission is to provide support to families affected by drunk driving. They also take mangled vehicles from DWI crashes to schools, universities and other events to demonstrate that drinking and driving can kill.

Since its inception as a 501(c)3 nonprofit, Krysta's Karing Angels has provided financial assistance to families and donated to two scholarship programs where the families lost a loved one to a drunk driver.

Today from 4 to 8pm, the nonprofit will hold a spaghetti dinner fundraiser called "Krys-Miss in September" at Caliber Collision at Katy Mills Mall on Interstate 10 at Pin Oak Road.

Spaghetti plates with salad, bread and a drink will be sold for $10 to adults and $5 to kids.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Houston Police Department's BAT Van will be there, plus a moonwalk, raffles, crashed cars and more.

For more information about Krysta's Karing Angels, visit www.kristascaringangels.com.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Mother faces murder charges in baby daughter's death

  CUT AND SHOOT, TX (KTRK) -- A mother accused of being drunk during a car crash that killed her baby is now charged with murder.

Ashli Heil, 28, was initially charged with intoxication manslaughter for the April accident in Cut and Shoot. Prosecutors say Heil was legally intoxicated, speeding, lost control and crashed her SUV into a tree, instantly killing her 8-month-old daughter.

Heil is now charged with first degree felony murder, which carries a possible life sentence if she's convicted.

Prosecutor Warren Diepraam says he hopes the seriousness of the charge sends a message that the Montgomery County District Attorney's office takes crimes against children seriously because children are truly innocent victims, deserving of our strongest protection.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Mother accused of lying about daughter's kidnapping

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A mother who allegedly reported her 14-year-old was abducted while she was walking home from school is facing charges for lying and harming her daughter.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office says they've charged Andrea Sauls with filing a false report to police and injury to a child.

Detectives allege Sauls reported that her 14-year-old daughter was abducted while walking home from school along Spears at Walters in north Houston on her way home on Friday, the last day of the school year.

However, detectives say the teen had wanted to go with her father but Sauls wouldn't let her leave. That led to a fight, during which the girl suffered some injuries.

The girl ended up leaving with her father anyway, and that's when Sauls allegedly called the Harris County Sheriff's Office and reported that her daughter had been kidnapped. No other details were immediately available. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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