Woman Convicted For Death Of Toddler Son

A 27-year-old woman was convicted today of second-degree murder in the death of her 20-month-old son.

Ana Cedillo 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 six-man, six-woman jury received the case late 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 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.

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.

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