A couple pleads guilty to killing newborn infant in Oxnard

VENTURA-The District Attorney's Office announced on Monday, February 27, that a couple from Oxnard pleaded guilty to murdering a newborn infant in the hospital, in Ventura County.

David Luna Villa and Andrea Torralba Camacho pleaded guilty to the murder and assault of their newborn child in 2019.

The District Attorney's office said the couple was in a relationship and they were living in Oaxaca, Mexico, and moved to Oxnard California in 2019. Camacho was expectant at that time, from an alleged sexual assault rape by another guy in Mexico, and she did not want the infant, authorities said.

Camacho reportedly gave birth to a baby boy named Diego months later, at St. John's Medical Center in Oxnard. Officials said, on the same night, Camacho and Villa attempted to kill the newborn. When that failed, officials stated, Villa strangled the infant to death before putting the infant back in the bassinet and contacting the nurse.

The baby was taken to the ICU and pronounced deceased the following day.

"California’s Safe Surrender Baby Law would have permitted the defendants to leave baby Diego in the care of medical staff and walk away

The state's Safe Surrender Baby Law lets parents or guardians confidentially surrender a baby three days old or younger to a designated fire station or any hospital emergency room.

On January 20, Camacho pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, while Villa pleaded guilty to first-degree murder on Monday, February 27.

Both defendants are scheduled to be sentenced in March.

More News from Los Angeles

• News Mix Top News
• Anita Brown's commentary Opinions matter