Hollister
– Toxicology reports from an autopsy of Rachael Marie Menchaca’s
9-month-old daughter indicated the girl had methadone, a powerful
narcotic used in addiction treatment, in her system when she died
last month, according to sources close to the investigation.
Hollister – Toxicology reports from an autopsy of Rachael Marie Menchaca’s 9-month-old daughter indicated the girl had methadone, a powerful narcotic used in addiction treatment, in her system when she died last month, according to sources close to the investigation.
Menchaca’s attorney, Public Defender Greg LaForge, denies any crime was committed. The 27-year-old Menchaca is on trial facing felony charges of involuntary manslaughter and child abuse in the death of her daughter. She pleaded not guilty to both charges last month.
San Benito County District Attorney John Sarsfield declined to release any information about the toxicology reports, but said the child’s death was not believed to have been caused by Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
“All I can say is that there were no surprises (in the toxicology report),” he said. “Everything is consistent with what we initially thought.”
LaForge said the toxicology report didn’t prove the charges against his client.
“Just because the child tested positive for methadone doesn’t make my client guilty of any crime,” he said. “We’re in the middle of our own investigation – it appears to be nothing more than a tragic accident.”
LaForge said that once his investigation into the incident is complete, he will schedule a preliminary hearing in the case.
It is not clear who will hear the case. LaForge, on behalf of his client, asked that San Benito County Superior Court Judge Steven Sanders be removed from the case last week. LaForge said his client didn’t want Sanders to hear the case because the judge had previously denied Menchaca’s request to attend her daughter’s funeral while in custody.
Menchaca was arrested Sept. 12 after her daughter died after allegedly ingesting a narcotic while Menchaca was high on methamphetamine, according to police. Based on Menchaca’s statements to investigators and evidence at the home, detectives believe the infant may have ingested the substance the night before, according to police.
Menchaca was also caring for at least one other child, a young boy, at the time of the infant’s death, Hollister Police Chief Jeff Miller said. Menchaca pleaded not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter and child abuse at an arraignment hearing Sept. 13.
At the time of her arrest by Hollister detectives, Menchaca was on probation in Santa Clara County for drug violations, Hollister Police Department Spokeswoman Rosie Betanio said.
Menchaca is being held at the San Benito County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail. She will be in court again Oct. 26 for a preliminary hearing setting.
Michael Van Cassell covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or [email protected]. Free Lance staff writer Brett Rowland contributed to this report.
