Northeast Iowa woman gets life term in death of infant daughter

Associated Press

WEST UNION, Ia. — A northeast Iowa woman has entered a plea in the 2018 death of her infant daughter and will spend the rest of her life in prison.

The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports 29-year-old Alicia Marie Rios, of Elgin, entered an Alford plea to first-degree murder during a hearing Monday morning in Fayette County District court in West Union.

Alicia Marie Rios, 28, of Elgin, is charged with first-degree murder and child endangerment causing death.

Rios didn't admit guilt but acknowledged the plea was in her best interest. A charge of child endangerment causing death was dismissed.

Rios was arrested in the death of her 5-week-old daughter, Lydia, who was injured Aug. 21 and died later at a hospital. An autopsy found a skull fracture and Rios acknowledged striking the infant with a coffee table.

The murder charge carries a mandatory prison sentence of life without parole.

Wiping away tears, Rios told the court, "I love my daughter, and I never meant for anything to happen."

Previously:1-month-old infant allegedly killed by mother in northeast Iowa

A baby was killed in August, 2018, in the 500 block of Main Street in Elgin.