SAN DIEGO – Sentencing is set for October 13 for a University City father who pleaded guilty to felony child abuse in the death of his seven-week-old infant daughter.
A 10-year term in state prison is likely the maximum term for Jaime Javier Santillanes, 39, said Steve Walker, spokesperson for District Attorney Summer Stephen.
Walker said Santillanes admitted to inflicting injury upon a child under 5 years of age.
Santillanes was headed for a murder trial this week before attorneys reached a plea agreement in San Diego Superior Court.
Genevieve Santillanes stopped breathing on March 18, 2023, and she was rushed to a hospital, where she died three days later.
Santillanes’ attorney had argued that he fell asleep while holding the infant and fell out of the chair, causing his entire body weight to fall on her. Prosecution doctors had claimed those injuries, which included a skull fracture, were not consistent with an accidental fall. Some of the injuries appeared to be traumatic, a police release said.
Murder and assault charges were dismissed in exchange for a guilty plea to felony child abuse by Judge Lisa Rodriguez.
Santillanes remains in the South Bay Detention Facility without bail.
