California mom convicted in 3-year-old's death gets 37 years

VENTURA, Calif. (AP) — A Southern California woman who tried to cover up the death of her 3-year-old daughter has been sentenced to 37 years to life in prison.

Mayra Chavez of Oxnard was convicted last year of murder, torture and assault leading to the 2015 death of Kimberly Lopez.

Investigators said Chavez and Kimberly's father, Omar Lopez, disposed of the girl's remains in Mexico. Her body was never recovered.

The Los Angeles Times reports Lopez, who was originally charged with murder, made a deal with prosecutors and instead pleaded guilty to child endangerment and perjury.

He testified against Chavez, telling jurors that the child died after her head was slammed on the floor while her mother angrily changed her soiled diaper.