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Inset: Reagan Herrin (GoFundMe). Background: An irrigation canal in Stanislaus County, California, where Reagan Herrin, 4, was allegedly killed in a DUI crash by her mother (KXTV/YouTube).
A mother in California has been charged with murder for leaving her 4-year-old daughter to die in a “partially submerged” SUV after she sent the vehicle careening into an irrigation canal during a DUI crash, with cops later finding the woman “taking a bath while her daughter remained in peril” at the scene, according to prosecutors.
Juliette Acosta, 26, was originally only charged with felony drunk driving for the deadly DUI crash that took the life of her daughter, Reagan Herrin, on the night of March 8 near the town of Hickman. On Friday, the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office reported in a press release that Acosta’s charges had been upgraded to murder; vehicular manslaughter; driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury; permitting a child to suffer under circumstances likely to cause great bodily injury or death; and resisting, delaying or obstructing a public officer, peace officer or emergency medical technician following an investigation.
“According to the criminal complaint, Acosta is alleged to have been driving with a blood alcohol content nearly three times the legal limit of .08%, when the fatal crash occurred,” the DA’s office said. “The charging document includes circumstances in aggravation, alleging that Acosta left her partially submerged car while her daughter remained trapped inside, failing to render aid to her child, being located taking a bath while her daughter remained in peril at the crash scene, and causing the death of a vulnerable victim.”
District Attorney Laugero noted in a statement Friday how the crash and Herrin’s death had a “significant” impact on local community members and the child’s family.
“However, our responsibility to both the victim and the integrity of our legal system requires a thorough investigation based on the evidence and the law,” Laugero said. “This methodical approach ensures that justice is pursued based on accurate information. I appreciate the public’s patience and understanding in protecting the process and ensuring our ethical obligations are met. Justice requires our absolute adherence to these standards.”
More from Law&Crime: ‘Tragic circumstances’: Mom who starved 2-year-old son to death learns her fate after boy’s father is sentenced
A friend who launched an online GoFundMe fundraiser for Gage Herrin, the victim’s father, described the Herrin family as being “overwhelmed with the support” from local residents, saying he “can’t begin to express their gratitude” after folks began reaching out after hearing what happened last month.
“Any remaining money that has been donated after expenses will be donated back to the community on Reagan’s behalf in hopes to prevent incidents like this from happening in the future,” the GoFundMe description says. “Thank you again for all your continued support and we pray that justice is served for Reagan.”
Acosta was caught by cops in San Francisco last week and transported back to Stanislaus County by the California Highway Patrol after she attempted to evade arrest, police say. If convicted on all charges, the DA’s office said Acosta will face a maximum sentence of life in prison. She is currently being held without bail.
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