San Antonio Teen Pleads No Contest in Death of Her 7-week-old Daughter

On September 12, 2011, Julie Navejar, a San Antonio, Texas teenager who left her daughter at a west side fire station in 2009 pleaded no contest in the 289th District Court. Pursuant to her plea deal that was arranged by her criminal defense attorney, the State will not ask the judge to sentence her for more than 12 years in prison. She is applying for deferred adjudication, which if the judge grants her application for deferred and she completes the probationary period, she will not have a final conviction on her record. The prosecutor says she will be opposing her request for deferred adjudication. Navejar will officially receive her sentence in November of this year. Although she was only 16 years old when the incident occurred, the juvenile court judge certified to allow her to stand trial as an adult.

The teen’s boyfriend, Ramiro de la Rosa, is still awaiting trial. It is alleged that the boyfriend physically abused the child before they left the lifeless infant at the fire station. De la Rosa told police that days before the baby died he would slap her and choke her when she would not stop crying. The teen girl admitted during an interview that she was addicted to heroin and did not care for the child properly. Navejar’s defense attorney explained to the court during the hearing that her boyfriend would inject her with heroin and force her to prostitute herself. He would also physically abuse her as well.

Deferred adjudication is a type of community supervision (probation) where, if granted, the judge defers entering a finding of guilty. If the defendant satisfactorily complies with the terms of the deferred and completes everything that is required of him or her, then the case will be dismissed and there will never be a finding of guilt. The downside to deferred adjudication is if the defendant does not comply with the terms of probation, he or she could be revoked and will face the entire range of punishment once again.

If you or someone you loved is being investigated for the death or injury to a child, you need to obtain a lawyer immediately. You have the constitutional right to remain silent and you do not want to speak with law enforcement without first obtaining counsel. Contact the Law Office of Dayna L. Jones at 210-255-8525 to consult with a criminal defense attorney today. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day and 7 days per week.