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D.A.: No Plea Deal For Nixzmary's Mom

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Aug 30, 2006 6:30 pm US/Eastern

D.A.: No Plea Deal For Nixzmary's Mom

by Tamsen Fadal
BROOKLYN (CBS) ― It's been eight months since Nixzmary Brown died, and her parents are both charged with her murder. The girl's mother was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday morning.

Nixzmary Brown's mother, Nixzaliz Santiago, and her stepfather, Cesar Rodriguez, were going to be tried together in the brutal murder of the 7-year old girl.

Contrary to published reports, the Brooklyn District Attorney's office reports that they are not trying to strike a plea bargain with Santiago. They have asked for separate trials, but they plan to prosecute her to the fullest extent of the law.

Nixzmary died January 11, and according to investigators she was malnourished, covered with bruises and sexually abused.

Police said she spent much of her life tied to a chair in the family's apartment, forced to use a litter box as a toilet.

The Daily News reported in Wednesday's editions that Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes might allow the girl's mother to accept a plea and testify against Nixzmary's stepfather -- something the D.A.'s office now denies.

The death of the 7-year old caused a major shake-up at the Administration for Children's' Services earlier this year, when it was uncovered that the agency had been informed of the abuse going on inside the home.

Denied Life: Child Death Cases Known To ACS

Santiago was due in court Wednesday for a pre-trial hearing. If convicted of second-degree murder, both parents could face up 25-years-to-life in prison.

Nixzmary's death also has led to some changes in Albany. In early August, Governor Pataki signed a new law that allows police and Children's Services officials to conduct confidential investigations when abuse is the suspected cause in the death of a child.

(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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