In Garden Grove last month, a woman allegedly was responsible for the death of her 8 week old infant by allowing him to suffocate in a pile of clothes on Halloween. Corrina Atuatasi, 27, was charged last week with involuntary manslaughter and child abuse, plus a sentencing enhancement for causing great bodily injury to a child under 5 years of age.
Apparently, Atuatasi was taking care of her son, Aiden Galeai while her husband and other child were away when she left the him alone in her apartment to have a cigarette. She met a neighbor and started drinking returning to the party after awhile with her baby to continue drinking.
She eventually went home and was so intoxicated that the next morning she failed to make sure her baby was safe. Instead, prosecutors said, the baby ended up face-down in a pile of clothing and suffocated.
Atuatasi initially called 911 to report that she could not find her baby. However, she apparently found Aiden non-responsive in the pile of clothes prior to the arrival of the police. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison.
The result of inattention has caused her to be charged with child abuse likely to produce death in violation of Penal Code section 273a(a). If you or a loved one is facing similar circumstances, the People must prove that:
1. You willfully caused or permitted a child to suffer unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering; or while having care or custody of a child, willfully caused or permitted the child’s person or health to be injured; or while having care or custody of a child, willfully caused or permitted the child to be placed in a situation where the child’s person or health might have been endangered; and
2. You inflicted pain or suffering on the child or caused or permitted the child to suffer or be injured or be endangered under circumstances or conditions likely to produce great bodily harm or death; and 3. You were criminally negligent when you caused or permitted the child to suffer or be injured or be endangered;
If you or a loved one is facing this charge, contact the criminal defense attorneys at Wallin and Klarich. We at Wallin and Klarich have many years of experience successfully defending people charged with these types of crimes. We will work to aggressively defend you by investigating all aspects of your case. We will work to ensure that your rights are protected and that you clearly understand the legal process. The attorneys at Wallin & Klarich can be reached by phone at 1-877-230-1529 or through our website at www.wklaw.com. We will be there when you call.
