LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio (SCPR), a member-supported public media network. Hear our news on-air at our partner site:
A 21-year-old Fullterton woman has accepted a plea deal for the death of her newborn son, and will not be charged with his murder. Yanira Bernice Valderrama is accused of drowning the baby boy in a toilet then hiding his body in a trashcan, according to the OC Register. She pleaded guilty Monday to felony child abuse, and will be sentenced later this month.Authorities say Valderrama concealed her pregnancy from her relatives, and gave birth to her son in the bathroom of the family home on September 4, 2009. Upon hearing her mother approach the room, Valderrama submerged the newborn in the toilet. When she removed the body, she wrapped it in a t-shirt and left him in the garbage can in the bedroom.
Ultimately, Valderrama's mother found blood in the bathroom, as well as the placenta. The police located the baby's body in the trashcan.
Valderrama was not arrested until April 2010.
It is not known what length of prison term Valderrama faces under her plea deal. She will be sentenced October 21.