California woman charged with murder in two newborn deaths after DNA breakthrough
Marisol Flores, a 30-year-old woman from Ventura County, California, now faces two murder charges linked to the deaths of her newborn children. The second charge follows a 2023 DNA re-examination that connected her to a 2015 infant death, years after the case had gone cold.
Flores was first charged in February 2023 for the death of one newborn. But investigators later tied her to another case from November 2015. Using genetic genealogy and public databases, authorities matched DNA from the infant's remains to Flores. Circumstantial evidence, including records of her pregnancy and delivery around that time, supported the findings.
A psychologist has now been assigned to assess whether Flores is mentally fit to stand trial. Her defence attorney questioned her competency, prompting the court to suspend all criminal proceedings until the evaluation is complete. A competency hearing is set for March 26. If convicted, Flores could face an extended prison sentence. Prosecutors may apply special enhancements, citing the use of a deadly weapon, multiple victims, and the targeting of vulnerable infants. She currently faces two counts of murder and two counts of assault on a child causing death.
The case hinges on both forensic evidence and Flores' mental state. The upcoming competency hearing will determine whether she can proceed to trial. If found competent and convicted, the charges carry severe penalties under California law.
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