Mother accused of tossing son to his death pleads not guilty

A woman accused of throwing her 7-month-old disabled son from the fourth story of a parking structure at Children's Hospital of Orange County last year pleaded not guilty to murder charges Wednesday.

Sonia Hermosillo, 32, of La Habra appeared in court but for the most part kept her face shielded during the brief hearing.

Hermosillo has been charged with murder and child abuse after she allegedly removed a safety helmet her son wore and dropped him from a parking garage at the hospital last August. She reportedly went inside the hospital and had a parking ticket validated before leaving.

The child, Noe Medina Jr., died several days later.

Hermosillo was described as being distraught after her son's death, and she was placed on a suicide hold. Last month, a judge ruled that she was competent to stand trial.

Jacqueline Goodman, Hermosillo's attorney, said she expects to enter an insanity plea on her client's behalf. Hermosillo suffers from "postpartum psychosis," she said.

Noe Medina Sr., Hermosillo's husband, attended the hearing, and her family has expressed support since her arrest.

"She was a good mother and then she had a psychotic break," Goodman said.

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-- Nicole Santa Cruz

Upper photo: Sonia Hermosillo looks out of her holding cell Wednesday during her arraignment on murder and child abuse charges. Credit: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

Lower photo: Noe Medina Jr. Credit: Medina family