Daycare workers in Portales hot car death found guilty

PORTALES, NM (KFDA) - The two women accused of leaving two children in a hot car for nearly three hours in July of 2017 have been found guilty, according to Ninth Judicial District Attorney Andrea Reeb.

Police reported that Mary and Sandi Taylor left 22-month-old Maliyah Jones and two-year-old Aubriana Loya in a hot car in July of 2017 where temperatures reached the mid-90s.

Maliyah was pronounced dead at the scene and Aubrianna faced critical injuries.

The daycare reportedly took multiple children to a park earlier in the day. Authorities say they became distracted after the trip and unintentionally left the two children inside the car back at the daycare.

The four-day trial began on January 30 where witnesses took the stand, including the girls' mothers and the three Portales police officers who responded to the incident.

Each woman is facing one count of child abuse resulting in death and one count of child abuse resulting in great bodily harm. Both Mary and Sandi Taylor face up to 18 years in prison.

At this time, Mary and Sandy Taylor have been remanded into custody.

Reeb said a sentencing hearing will be held at a later date.

Copyright 2019 KFDA. All rights reserved.