Calif. mom convicted of murder in death of newborn sentenced to 22 years to life in prison

Calif. mom convicted of murder gets 22 years

VISALIA, Calif. — A central California woman convicted of abandoning her three newborns, one of whom froze to death, has been sentenced to 22 years to life in prison.

Nancy Ortiz was convicted last month of second-degree murder for abandoning a baby girl in December 2006 in the back of a neighbor’s pickup. The infant died from hypothermia.

Superior Court Judge Joseph Kalashian sentenced her Monday to 15 years to life for the death. He also gave her a consecutive sentence of seven years and four months on felony counts of child abandonment for abandoning the girl and two other infants, who survived.

The 24-year-old Ortiz testified she abandoned the newborns because her abusive boyfriend didn’t want more children.

Her lawyer says she is appealing.

Information from: The Fresno Bee, www.fresnobee.com