Philadelphia Couple Sentenced in Drug Overdose Death of Infant
By Tony Hanson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A Hunting Park couple today pleaded guilty and was sentenced in connection with a 2011 drug overdose death of an infant in their care.
As part of plea deals, Oscar Sanchez-Rivera was sentenced to 15-30 years in prison and his girlfriend, Viameri Santana-Berrio, a relative of the baby, was sentenced to 10-20 years.
Nine-month-old Milton Galarza Rojas died from massive amounts of cocaine and heroin, forced into him orally and by needle.
Despite pleading guilty, neither defendant specifically admitted giving the drugs to the baby. They had told police the baby had been acting normally except for some trouble breathing, and had not suffered any injury.
"What they say is in stark contrast to the pictures of this baby," notes Philadelphia prosecutor Bridget Kirn. "The images of those little cut and bruised baby hands with needle marks, and little baby feet with track marks, is something that can not be forgotten."
When asked if she wanted to say anything in court -- a time at which some defendants will express remorse -- Santana-Berrio responded, "Like what?" Neither defendant spoke in court or expressed any remorse.
