VICTORVILLE, Calif. (AP) - A Southern California woman pleaded not guilty on Thursday to murder and assault charges stemming from the death of a 2-year-old girl who died from complications after eating chili powder.
Amanda Sorensen, 21, entered her plea to one count each of murder and assault on a child causing death in a Victorville courtroom and was ordered held on $1 million bail. She is scheduled to return to court Jan. 17.
A telephone message left for Sorensen's court-appointed lawyer was not immediately returned.
The girl, identified in court documents as Joileen G., was found at an Apple Valley home over the weekend suffering from a seizure after ingesting the kitchen spice, authorities said. The girl, who is the daughter of Sorenson's boyfriend, was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead.
Results of the child's autopsy were pending.
Investigators declined to elaborate on the case, including providing a motive.
"We felt the evidence supported the charges," said Kathleen DiDonato, a prosecutor with the San Bernardino County district attorney's office.
DiDonato's boss, District Attorney Michael Ramos, recently formed a unit focused on prosecuting major crimes against children.
Ramos cited the difficulty in prosecuting such cases because often there are no witnesses and children sometimes are unable to testify. There were more than 30 crimes against children last year in San Bernardino County that includes murder, assault and torture. In 2011, there were more than 50 such crimes.
"It's sad to say we need a major crimes against children unit for this reason," DiDonato said of the chili powder case.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:08:35 GMT
EDMOND, Okla. (AP) - A powerful storm system rumbled through the Plains and upper Midwest on Sunday, spawning tornadoes that damaged homes and buildings near Oklahoma City and put the Tulsa area on high-alert. There
A powerful storm system rumbled through the Plains and upper Midwest on Sunday, spawning tornadoes that damaged homes and buildings near Oklahoma City and put the Tulsa area on high-alert.
Sunday, May 19 2013 11:25 PM EDT2013-05-20 03:25:15 GMT
Another day, another domination for Taylor Swift: She was the red hot winner at the Billboard Music Awards. Swift won eight awards, including top artist and top Billboard 200 album for "Red." She told
Another day, another domination for Taylor Swift: She was the red hot winner at the Billboard Music Awards.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:36 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:36:19 GMT
Police are still searching for the suspects that shot and killed James "Jimmy" Safadi in his Waterville home early Saturday morning. About 6 a.m. Saturday, detectives say the three suspects described as
Police are still searching for the suspects that shot and killed James "Jimmy" Safadi in his Waterville home early Saturday morning.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:31 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:31:31 GMT
Northbound Route 23 was shut down on Sunday evening after a semi truck overturned.Part of the road was shut down as the crash scene was cleared. Several cars were involved in the accident, and there were
Northbound Route 23 was shut down on Sunday evening after a semi truck overturned.
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 00:56:32 GMT
DAMASCUS, Va. (AP) - Authorities believe the driver who plowed into dozens of hikers marching in a Virginia mountain town parade suffered from a medical condition and did not cause the crash intentionally,
Authorities believe the driver who plowed into dozens of hikers marching in a Virginia mountain town parade suffered from a medical condition and did not cause the crash intentionally.
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:52 PM EDT2013-05-20 00:52:38 GMT
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) - Police in a northeast Ohio community report a number of black bear sightings. Police in Liberty Township near Youngstown say they have received several calls regarding bears in
Police in Liberty Township near Youngstown say they have received several calls regarding bears in the area in recent days.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:42 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:42:35 GMT
On Monday, we'll likely climb to 88 degrees. If we reach 88 on Monday, it would become our warmest day since August 31st, when we reached 93 degrees. Monday's record high is 92 degrees, from May 20th of 1962.
On Monday, we'll likely climb to 88 degrees. If we reach 88 on Monday, it would become our warmest day since August 31st, when we reached 93 degrees. Monday's record high is 92 degrees, from May 20th of 1962.
The Historic Church of Saint Patrick honored law enforcement officers Sunday morning at the 4th annual Blue Mass. It included bag pies and a candle display.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:18 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:18:27 GMT
The Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters released its 2013 award winners on Sunday.13abc was honored with five AP awards.1st Place - Best Producer: Shelly Gorringe1st Place - Outstanding Sports Operation1st
The Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters released its 2013 award winners on Sunday. 13abc was honored with five AP awards.
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:53 PM EDT2013-05-20 01:53:46 GMT
WASHINGTON (AP) - A top White House adviser insisted Sunday that President Barack Obama learned the Internal Revenue Service had targeted tea party groups only "when it came out in the news" while Republicans
A top White House adviser insisted Sunday that President Barack Obama learned the Internal Revenue Service had targeted tea party groups only "when it came out in the news."
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