OSCAR ZUNIGA Jr - 20 Months (2007) - Indio (SE of Palm Springs) CA

An Indio woman was convicted Thursday of second-degree murder in the
beating death of her 20-month-old son, who suffered for two days before dying.

Ana Cedillo, 27, was also found guilty of attempted
assault of a child with force and child abuse in the Sept. 28, 2007, death of Oscar Zuniga Jr.

Cedillo, who fought back tears as the verdict was read, faces up to 15 years to life in prison when she is
sentenced Aug. 6.

The six-man, six-woman jury deliberated for
about four hours before reaching the verdict.

"Baby Oscar endured
more pain and torment in his short life than most people will endure in
an entire lifetime," said Deputy District Attorney Chris Ross. "The
facts of this case were not easy for anyone to hear, but the jury heard
them and returned the right verdict thereby making sure that this
innocent child got the justice he deserved."

Cedillo's attorney, Mario Rodriguez, said he will file an appeal.

Ross told jurors
the child suffered a long list of injuries, including a ruptured lower
intestine, bruising to the brain, hemorrhage of the optic nerve and a
chipped tooth, as well as rib fractures that were inflicted at least 10
days before his death.

The toddler showed symptoms of vomiting,
loss of appetite and fever for two days before he died, the prosecutor said.

The defendant did not like her son because the toddler
favored his father, Ross told the jury.

Rodriguez argued that the
child's death was most likely accidental. Oscar, who had developmental
problems, would try to walk and often fell on a tile floor, he said.

The attorney said Cedillo's 7-year-old "hyperactive" son would often play
with his younger brother and sometimes dropped him in the yard.

"When the brothers would sleep in the same bed, little Oscar would tickle his
brother's feet and (the brother) would kick him," Rodriguez said.

The child's father, Oscar Zuniga Sr., pleaded guilty to child endangerment
in December 2008 and received a two-year prison sentence.

A 27-year-old woman was convicted Thursday of second-degree murder in the
death of her 20-month-old son.
Ana Cedillo of Indio was also found guilty of attempted assault of a
child with force and child abuse in the Sept. 28, 2007, death of Oscar
Zuniga Jr. Cedillo faces life in prison when she is
sentenced Aug. 6.The
child's father, Oscar Zuniga Sr., pleaded guilty to child endangerment
in December 2008 and received a two-year prison sentence.Deliberations began in
earnest Thursday morning in the Cedillo's trial. The six-man, six-woman
jury received the case Wednesday afternoon following more than a
week of testimony.In
his opening statement, Deputy District Attorney Chris Ross said the
child suffered a long list of injuries, including a ruptured lower
intestine, bruising to the brain, hemorrhage of the optic nerve and a
chipped tooth, as well as rib fractures that were inflicted at least 10
days before his death.“The
child died from sepsis or poisoning,” Ross said, adding that the
toddler showed symptoms of vomiting, loss of appetite and fever for two
days beforehand.The
defendant did not like her son because the toddler favored his father,
the prosecutor said.Cedillo's
attorney, Mario Rodriguez, argued that the child's death was most
likely accidental. Oscar, who had developmental problems, would try to
walk and often fell on a tile floor, Rodriguez said.The attorney said Cedillo's 7-year-old “hyperactive”
son would often play with his younger brother and sometimes dropped him
in the yard.“When
the brothers would sleep in the same bed, little Oscar would tickle
his brother's feet and (the brother) would kick him,” Rodriguez said.

Sentencing was delayed Friday for an Indio woman convicted in the beating death of her 20- month-old.

Ana Cedillo, 27, was found guilty in June of second-degree murder,
attempted assault of a child with force and child abuse in the Sept. 28,
2007, death of Oscar Zuniga Jr.

Sentencing was rescheduled for September 17.

Deputy District Attorney Chris Ross said during trial the child suffered a
long list of injuries, including a ruptured lower intestine, bruising to
the brain, hemorrhage of the optic nerve and a chipped tooth, as well
as rib fractures that were inflicted at least 10 days before his death.

The toddler showed symptoms of vomiting, loss of appetite and fever
for two days before he died, the prosecutor said.

The defendant did not like her son because the toddler favored his father, according to Ross.

Cedillo's attorney, Mario Rodriguez, argued the child's death was most likely
accidental. Oscar, who had developmental problems, would try to walk and
often fell on a tile floor, he said.

The attorney said Cedillo's 7-year-old "hyperactive'' son would
often play with his younger brother and sometimes dropped him in the yard.

"When the brothers would sleep in the same bed, little Oscar would tickle his brother's feet and
(the brother) would kick him,'' Rodriguez said.

The child's father, Oscar Zuniga Sr., pleaded guilty to child endangerment in
December 2008 and received a two-year prison sentence.