ELIZABETH DENISE ESCALONA | Mother Who Super-Glued 3yo Daughter’s Hands To Wall And Beating For Potty-Training Accident Sentenced To 99 Years In Prison: “I’m not a monster” | Autographed Letter, Signed

Elizabeth Escolona. Autographed Letter, Signed. Handwritten, Commercial #10 (4.125 × 9.5 envelope). Austin, TX. October 15, 2024. Content unknown. SEALED.

Elizabeth Denise Escalona was involved in a legal case where she pleaded guilty to causing serious bodily injury to her child.

On September 7, 2011, Escalona, ​​23, fed up with having to potty train Jocelyn, flew into a rage. After dragging the 34-month-old girl around the apartment, she stuck her hands to the wall with superglue before beating her in front of her three other children. Marks were found on Jocelyn's head, stomach and groin caused by various objects used by the mother of five: a belt, a shoe and a milk jug. The little girl was only saved thanks to the quick intervention of her grandmother, who had been alerted by the accused herself.

When Ofelia Escalona entered the Dallas apartment, she found the lifeless body of her granddaughter, who had survived only two days in a coma, the victim of a brain hemorrhage. Now in good health despite the risk of brain damage that it is too early to assess, the little girl lives with her grandmother and her four siblings, the youngest of whom was born while her mother was in detention. Under an agreement between social services and the grandmother, the children are not allowed to see Elizabeth Escalona.

The trial court found her guilty and sentenced her to ninety-nine years in prison. This case was heard in the 292nd Judicial District Court of Dallas County, Texas.

Plea Hearing And Sentencing

During the plea hearing, the judge explained the potential penalties for a first-degree felony, which included a range of confinement from five years to life or ninety-nine years, along with a possible fine. Escalona signed a plea agreement acknowledging her guilt and understanding the punishment range.

At the sentencing hearing, medical testimony revealed that Escalona’s child had suffered extensive injuries indicative of severe abuse. The child had multiple bruises, abrasions, and signs of blunt force trauma. Medical professionals described the injuries as meeting criteria for child torture.

Appellant’s Testimony And Claims Of Ineffective Assistance Of Counsel

Escalona testified during the sentencing that she had been in an abusive relationship and admitted to physically harming her child. She later filed a motion for a new trial claiming ineffective assistance of counsel. She argued that her attorney had misrepresented the likelihood of receiving probation if she pleaded guilty and failed to adequately prepare her for trial.

Her attorney, Angie N Duka, countered these claims by stating that she did not guarantee probation and that Escalona had rejected earlier plea offers. Duka testified about her efforts to prepare Escalona for trial and present mitigating evidence.

Court’s Decision On Appeal

The appellate court reviewed Escalona’s claims under an abuse of discretion standard. It determined that her plea was made knowingly and voluntarily based on the totality of circumstances presented during both the plea hearing and sentencing. The court found no merit in Escalona’s arguments regarding ineffective assistance of counsel, concluding that Duka’s performance did not fall below an objective standard of reasonableness.

Ultimately, the appellate court affirmed the trial court’s decision, maintaining Escalona’s conviction and sentence.

Conclusion

In summary, Elizabeth Denise Escalona’s case involved serious allegations of child abuse leading to severe injuries sustained by her child. Despite claims of ineffective assistance from her counsel and involuntary plea arguments, both the trial court and appellate court upheld her conviction based on thorough examination of evidence and testimonies presented during hearings.

VIDEO: 99 Years In Prison For The Worst Crime. The Case Of Elizabeth Escalona. True Crime Stories | https://youtu.be/7csas5RA4jQ

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