A La Quinta woman has been arrested in connection with the scalding death of her 3-year-old daughter.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Yolanda Guadalupa Pena (pictured), 39, was arrested Tuesday for murder and assault of a child resulting in death.

Late June 25, Pena called police to her home in the 44000 block of Vista Dunes Lanes because her daughter, Delilah Urrutia, was not breathing. Responders found the girl dead — and with first-, second- and third-degree burns on her face, neck, chest, back and arms.

Pena explained that the girl had tipped a pot of hot water onto herself earlier in the evening. Investigators later determined that Pena sent the girl to her room for misbehaving instead of seeking help.

A Monday autopsy revealed additional injuries, which appear to have occured over an extended period of time due to physical abuse.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call Inv. Jason Corey at (951) 955-2777.

– posted at 2:53 p.m. by Cathy Maestri

 

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Wednesday, July 1, 2009

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