A Rancho Palos Verdes woman was sentenced Wednesday to 14 years and eight months in state prison for the death of her 2-year-old daughter she left alone in a car in 2019.
Lacey Ana Mazzarella, 35, pleaded no contest on October 20 to one count each of voluntary manslaughter, mayhem and child abuse resulting in death.
Just before midnight on Sept. 22, 2019, Mazzarella left the baby, named June, in a car in West Carson. The child was left covered with a blanket and the heater on while Mazzarella drank alcohol in another nearby vehicle with a friend until she passed out, the prosecutor said.
When Mazzarella returned early the next morning, the child was dead and the engine and heater were still running, the prosecutor added.
KTLA reported: When Mazzarella eventually woke up around 5 a.m., she found her daughter unresponsive, with vomit on her shirt and on the car seat, according to the coroner’s report. She took the 2-year-old out of the car, put her on the grass and sprayed her with a water hose in an attempt to cool her down, authorities said.
A call to 911 was placed but by the time the toddler arrived at the hospital, her temperature had reached 107.5 degrees, according to a coroner’s report. She also appeared to have burns on her face, chest and arms, and her eyes were cloudy, officials said.
Mazzarella has a history of drug abuse, and lost custody of another child — then 3 years old — eight years ago due to neglect, officials said.
The case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
