Prosecutors Say Mom Crashed Car into Canal, Then Left to Take Drunken Bath While Daughter, 4, Drowned Inside

A California mother is charged with murder following the death of her 4-year-old daughter in a car crash.

Juliette Marie Acosta, 26, was first charged with driving under the influence after she allegedly crashed into an irrigation canal on March 8 near Hickman, Calif., the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office said in a press release.

Prosecutors alleged that Acosta’s blood alcohol level was almost three times the legal limit when she crashed, and that she left her car while her daughter, Reagan Herrin, was still trapped inside.

When Reagan was discovered inside the car, authorities alleged that Acosta was taking a bath.

Acosta’s attorney told The Independent that the allegation she was taking a bath was false.

“Timeline-wise, it’s almost impossible to have done both of those,” Gil Somera told the outler. “Time-wise, you can’t go take a bath while your daughter’s drowning if it’s in [a] canal, not next to a home…logically, it just doesn’t make sense.”

Acosta has since been charged with murder for her alleged role in Reagan’s death, as well as several other felony counts in addition to the DUI charge.

It is not immediately clear if she has entered a plea.

The Sacramento Bee reported that Reagan was eventually pulled from her car by her uncle, who lives near the scene. The girl reportedly died at the hospital the next day.

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Somera told the Bee that he did not believe his client should be charged with murder.

“This is an incredibly tragic and devastating situation,” he said. “I remain confident that the truth will come to light. Reckless misinformation only serves to harm our community further.”

A GoFundMe started to raise money for Reagan’s father has raised over $22,000.