Ex-foster mom draws 12 years in girl's death

SUMMARY: Circuit Court The judge disallows an attempt to withdraw the guilty plea

Ex-foster mom draws  12 years in girl's death

AIMEE GREEN

A former Gresham foster mom accused of dunking the head of a 2-year-old girl in her care in a toilet was sentenced to 12 years in prison Monday for her part in the girl's death.

Prosecutor Jeff Howes said it might never be known precisely what role Dunia Soledad Moreno, 31, played in the death of Keyana Bravo-Hamilton in September 2006, but that the foster mom together with her husband was responsible. Armando Moreno-Garcia, 39, faces trial next month.

"Who inflicted the fatal blows may never be known beyond a reasonable doubt," Howes said.

Keyana's foster parents brought her to Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center for treatment of internal injuries, but hospital staff grew suspicious after seeing older wounds on the girl, including bruises, abrasions and cigarette burns. The couple's oldest biological daughter, then 6, told authorities that on the day before Keyana died she saw Soledad force the toddler's head into a toilet containing feces and urine.

In November, Soledad pleaded no contest to criminal mistreatment and guilty to first-degree manslaughter in Multnomah County Circuit Court. She had originally been charged with murder in addition to the crimes she pleaded to. Moreno-Garcia is charged with first-degree manslaughter.

Keyana had been living with the foster parents since June 2006.

During Monday's sentencing hearing, defense attorneys asked to withdraw Soledad's plea agreement. The attorneys said the prosecutor hadn't made good on two promises. Soledad wanted visits with her two daughters and also wanted the children's grandmother to adopt them. Howes said he made no such promises. Judge Julie Frantz agreed with Howes, saying such conditions were not part of the written agreement.

Nonetheless, when it was Soledad's turn to speak, she wailed at Howes, accusing him of lying to her. Soledad said she hadn't seen her children since her arrest, which made her feel compassion for Keyana's mother, Crystal Hamilton, who was sitting in the courtroom.

"I understand Crystal's pain because I also am feeling it at this point," Soledad said. Then, without being specific, she apologized to Hamilton for her loss.

"Crystal, please forgive me for everything that has happened," Soledad said.

Hamilton sobbed.

When Soledad continued to rant at the prosecutor, Judge Frantz cut her short. The judge chided Soledad for failing to take responsibility for Keyana's death and make peace with the girl's mother.

After the hearing, Hamilton --who has been free from drugs for almost a year --said she is slowly rebuilding her life and coming to terms with the pain of losing her daughter. Hamilton said she still has many questions about what roles Soledad and her husband played in Keyana's death, but Soledad's apology reaffirmed that she was partly responsible.

Hamilton also said she was insulted by Soledad's claim that she understood her pain.

"She does not know how I feel," said Hamilton. "I think she should have kept her mouth shut."