BAKERSFIELD, CA. - A Bakersfield woman convicted of killing her 2-year-old neice last September was sentenced to life in prison in court today.
Wendy Guadalupe Gomez was found guilty by a jury last month on one count of murder and one count of willful harm to a child.
Her neice's name was Karla Isidro.
Today, Gomez received a sentence of 15 years to life.
Deputy D.A. Nick Lackie said afterward that the sentence given was appropriate.
"This was such a shocking case, even for somebody who handles these types of cases all the time, becuause the cruelty and inhumanity the defendent displayed toward the victim," said Lackie.
Lackie explained that Gomez is sentenced to life in prison, though she has to complete the entire 15 year sentence before she would be eligible for parole.
Gomez also presented a letter to the court, which Lackie described as a list of excuses for her behavior.
"The letter she wrote was basically excuses. She was making excuses for her baheavior, saying she had a rough childhood and all kinds of difficulties placed on her and didn't take responsibility for actually inflicting these injuries on the victim, which the jury found she had, in fact, done," said Lackie.
When asked about Gomez's demeaner in court, Lackie said that she was crying. He added that her crying was telling bcause she didn't cry when police were asking her about her neice hours after the toddler's death.
"She was sorry she got caught. If she had any feelings for this little girl she would have taken her to save her life when she had a chance," Lackie said.
Gomez was caring for Isidro when the girl was found dead in the back seat of a car, outside a home in the 3300 block of Chester Lane, in September of 2013.
Lackie added that there was no family at the sentencing today.
Gomez has 60 days to appeal the decision.