Garden Grove woman sentenced to 19 years to life in prison for beating 2-year-old stepson, leaving him paralyzed
SANTA ANA — A 24-year-old woman was sentenced Friday to 19 years to life in prison for beating her 2-year-old stepson, leaving him in a coma and paralyzed.
Noelia Ayala, of Garden Grove, was convicted July 11 of attempted torture and assault causing a coma or paralysis to a child under age 8, both felonies that carry increased sentencing penalties for causing great bodily injury to a child under age 5.
Ayala has been incarcerated for 1,077 days since his arrest.
The boy's father, co-defendant Alberto Aragon, 36, is awaiting trial on child abuse and endangerment charges. Prosecutors say Aragon is accused of delaying medical treatment.
According to prosecutors, when emergency personnel were called to the Garden Grove home on Aug. 23, 2019, the boy was coughing up blood and seemed to be in a daze.
Prosecutors said Aragon claimed her son was injured after falling in a swimming pool, but doctors determined some of the injuries were old and still healing.
Prosecutors say the seven-year-old boy is now paralyzed on the left side of his body and has suffered severe brain damage.
