Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced today that Mayra Gonzalez (age 24), of Providence, was found guilty of child neglect in the death of her five week old baby girl Kristina Jimenez. Gonzalez was found guilty by Rhode Island Family Court Associate Justice Michael B. Forte after a four day jury waived trial. Immediately following the verdict, Judge Forte sentenced Gonzalez to the maximum penalty, three years with 15 months to serve and the remainder suspended with probation.
During the trial, the state provide beyond a reasonable doubt that Gonzalez knowingly allowed her five week baby girl, Kristina Jimenez, to suffer from more than 50 injuries, including but not limited to four skull fractures, 25 rib fractures, a fractured pubic bone, lacerated liver, fractured clavicle, fractured great toe, fractured left thumb, fractured tibia, a fractured femur, and retinal hemorrhages. The baby was rushed to the Hasbro Children's Hospital by ambulance on June 20, 2012 and died on July 7, 2012. The father, Christopher Jimenez, is charged with the murder of the baby and is pending trial.
"Above all else, a parent is supposed to protect their child from harm. Mayra Gonzalez was too blinded by her love for Christopher Jimenez to recognize the abuse of her baby daughter until it was too late. Her precious life was cut short, and while her mother may not have inflicted the deadly injuries upon Kristina's tiny body, she is also responsible for her death," said Attorney General Kilmartin.
The case was investigated by Providence Police retired Detective Nancy Santopadre (ret.) and Detective Dennis LeBlanc. Special Assistant Attorney General and Chief of the Child Abuse Unit Shannon Signore and Special Assistant Attorney General David Craven prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.