Mother Sentenced for Child Death in Hot Car
Over the fervent objection of prosecutors, Department 5 of the Tulare County Superior Court sentenced Eustajia Dominguez Mojica, 29, to one year in jail with time served, four years felony probation, and 8 years, 8 months suspended state prison for the heat exposure death of her three-year-old daughter. A ‘suspended’ term means that it is not being currently imposed and the defendant could only go to prison in the future if a judge ordered it as a consequence for violating her probation.
On June 3, 2021, Mojica drove to her sister’s Visalia residence and parked on the street in the full sun. She was there to process marijuana. In the car were the victim and two other children. As Mojica and several others worked and her children played in the yard, the victim remained in the car for over two hours in triple digit heat.
When one of the people at the residence finally inquired about the victim’s whereabouts, a search was conducted of the property. The victim was found in the car and brought inside. Visalia Police Department officers arrived on scene quickly while emergency services transported the victim to the hospital. While searching the property, police discovered over 100 mature and immature marijuana plants and 457 one-pound packages of processed marijuana. Mojica initially denied being part of the operation.
At the hospital, medical personnel worked diligently to help the victim. Hospital staff were unable to obtain an internal temperature reading, despite equipment that was capable of measuring up to 110 degrees. Pathologists determined the cause of death to be hyperthermia due to prolonged heat exposure. Court testimony established that a 107 degree internal temperature is fatal.
The next day, Visalia Police Department officers investigated how hot the suspect vehicle could get, under similar conditions. Temperatures inside the car reached and stayed at over 130 degrees. Through further investigation, officers learned Mojica was warned numerous times by the child’s father about leaving the children in hot cars. Additionally, the investigation uncovered evidence of ongoing neglect based on conditions at Mojica’s residence and the inadequate supervision of her surviving children.
On August 31, 2021, Mojica pleaded to all charges filed against her: child abuse with the special allegation of willful harm or injury resulting in death, involuntary manslaughter, conspiracy to commit a crime, two misdemeanor counts of child endangerment, misdemeanor possession of marijuana for sale, and misdemeanor planting, harvesting, or processing of marijuana.
The Office of the District Attorney made no offers in this case and does not agree with the sentencing resolution.
Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare
Assistant District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494