Bond increased for Durham mother charged with leaving child in hot van
DURHAM (WTVD) -- A Durham mother charged in the death of her 3-year-old daughter went before a judge Wednesday morning.
Prosecutors said 24-year-old Rocio Murillo-Estrada is not a U.S. citizen and had visited the Mexican Consulate - which issues passports - and so is a flight risk. Her bond was increased from $50,000 to $100,000. She's charged with involuntary manslaughter and felony child abuse for allegedly leaving her daughter in a van August 29.
In court Wednesday, an assistant district attorney said Leslie Ramirez - who was autistic - was left in the van for about four hours after the family returned from a meal outing.
Read more about the incident here.
"In speaking with the officer, he did let me know that at the outing the mother was involved in an altercation with the 3-year-old child," the assistant DA told the judge.
Speaking to reporters last week before her arrest, Murillo-Estrada called what happened an accident, saying she loves her daughter.
WATCH: Mom of girl found in van: 'It was an accident'
A chaplain speaking on behalf of the family said Murillo-Estrada, her mother and another adult returned to their apartment on Hearthside Street after eating out. He said she thought Leslie was taken out of the van like the other four children.
But when Leslie's father returned home, he realized she was in the van. He tried to save her but it was too late.
Neighbors who saw Leslie pulled out of the van say it looked like she suffered heat-related injuries. However, the autopsy report has not been released.
