Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The mother of a newborn baby girl found dead in a trash can was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison.
Beatriz Cuautle, 29, of Warsaw, previously pleaded guilty to killing the baby after giving birth Oct. 21 in the bathroom of her workplace, Kralis Brothers Foods Inc., Mentone.
An autopsy of Cuautle's daughter revealed the infant died from asphyxiation due to suffocation. Kosciusko County Coroner Larry Ladd ruled the death a homicide.
Weeping during the hearing, Cuautle told the court she was repentant.
The sentence was imposed on a Class B felony charge of voluntary manslaughter. Cuautle was charged with murder, but pleaded guilty to the lesser offense.
A psychologist testified at the sentencing that Cuautle has an IQ of 61, which means she has mild mental retardation.
Cuautle has four other children, three of whom live in Mexico. Cuautle is in the United States illegally, according to officials.
