Arizona mother found guilty of starving daughter to death 10 years ago

PHOENIX (TCD) -- A jury recently found a mother guilty of abusing and killing her toddler, who weighed just 9 pounds at the time of her death.

According to a Nov. 9 news release from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, Denise Snow-Ingram was convicted of second-degree murder and child abuse in connection with the 2013 death of her daughter.

On July 10, 2013, Snow-Ingram called 911 about her unresponsive 16-month-old child. The toddler was transported to a hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased. Maricopa County Prosecutor Rachel Mitchell said a medical expert confirmed the victim died of malnutrition. The child also suffered from rickets, a disease caused by a vitamin D deficiency.

Prosecutors argued that Snow-Ingram "intentionally fed her daughter an inadequate diet" and neglected to seek medical care.

During the trial, seven doctors testified and shared that rickets is often caused by lack of sunlight exposure and inadequate nourishment.

Mitchell said in a statement, "It is heartbreaking that a parent chose her own personal preferences over the well-being of her child."

Mitchell continued, "This was a child who stood no chance of surviving in the hands of her own parents. It is a point of pride that our prosecutors, and the victim advocate on the case, defended the memory of this innocent child when almost no one else would."

The child’s father was prosecuted in 2022 and sentenced on charges of manslaughter and child abuse.

Snow-Ingram’s sentencing is set for Jan. 19, and she faces anywhere from 23 years to life in prison.

MORE:

• Mother Found Guilty of Second-Degree Murder - Maricopa County Attorney's Office