PORTALES, N.M. (AP) - Two daycare workers could spend up to 36 years in prison after leaving two toddlers in a hot car, one of whom died.
A jury on Tuesday found the mother-daughter pair of Mary and Sandi Taylor guilty of abuse of a child resulting in death and abuse of a child resulting in great bodily harm, the Eastern New Mexico News reported .
Defense Attorney Tye Harmon said his clients, who operated Taylor’s Tots daycare, were “extremely disappointed” and will appeal the verdict. He says they believe jurors were not properly instructed.
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The Taylors left Maliyah Jones and Aubriauna Loya, both under the age of 2, in a vehicle in July 2017 for more than two hours with no air conditioning, Prosecutors said.
Maliyah was declared dead at a Portales hospital. Aubriauna survived, but was seriously injured.
Erika Tafoya, Maliyah’s mother, said she was happy with the jury’s verdict.
“We know it’ll never bring her back, but at least she deserves (accountability from the Taylors),” she said.
Kristen Ashmore, Aubriauna’s mother, said she felt relief at the verdict.
“I couldn’t stop shaking. I was scared,” she said.
Neither defendant testified. Sentencing is scheduled within 30 days.
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Information from: The Eastern New Mexico News, http://www.easternnewmexiconews.com
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