Harlingen mother sentenced in death of 2-year-old daughter

A Harlingen woman who pleaded guilty in the 2017 death of her child will serve 10 years of probation, court records show.

Samantha Lee Gonzalez was sentenced Tuesday after accepting a plea deal for injury to a child by omission, according to court records.

Gonzalez and a second individual – Jorge Abundez – were initially charged following the death of his 2-year-old daughter, Katalina Castaneda.

According to previous reports, investigators learned that Castaneda died after falling down the stairs. A pathology report indicated that the toddler suffered a ruptured liver and kidney and concluded that the toddler actually died from blunt force trauma to the stomach.

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Records show Castaneda had bruises all over his body and was underweight.

Court records say Gonzalez called his mother-in-law for advice before calling 9-1-1 about 16 minutes later.

In October 2023, Abundez was sentenced to 60 years in prison in connection with Castaneda's death.

LEARN MORE: Man accused of death of 2-year-old gets 60 years in prison

As part of his sentence, Gonzalez will serve 50 consecutive weekends in prison starting Friday, May 31.