LA mom charged in death of malnourished son found in closet

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Los Angeles woman has been charged with murder in the death of her severely malnourished 11-year-old son whose body was found in a closet.


Thirty-nine-year-old Veronica Aguilar was charged Thursday with one count each of murder and child abuse in the death of her son, Yonatan. She's set for an arraignment Thursday afternoon.

Los Angeles Police say Aguilar's husband and the 11-year-old boy's stepfather, Jose Pinzon, called them after Aguilar told him the boy was dead. Police say he then found Yonatan wrapped in a blanket in a closet of their home.

Police say Yonatan suffered from malnutrition and physical abuse and had been dead several hours.

The Los Angeles Times reported Aguilar has at least three other children, ages 14, 16 and 18.  The two minors were placed into protective care following the boy’s death.

Aguilar was expected to be arraigned Thursday afternoon.

If convicted she faces a maximum of 15 years to life in state prison.

Pinzon, the boy's stepfather, has not been charged.