A California mother is now charged with murder after driving drunk and killing her 4-year-old daughter.

Juliette Acosta, 26, crashed her SUV into a canal. The sound of the crash was loud enough to alert nearby residents, including Acosta’s uncle and a neighbor. Her Subaru SUV landed partially submerged in the water. Acosta’s uncle jumped in, helped her out of the vehicle, but could not find 4-year-old Reagan.

When officers arrived, Acosta was no longer at the scene. A deputy immediately entered the water to search the vehicle and found Reagan Herrin still buckled in her seat. With help from Acosta’s uncle, the deputy freed the girl and began CPR as an ambulance arrived.

Deputies later found Acosta at a nearby home, reportedly taking a bath. She was arrested and initially charged with felony DUI. Her blood alcohol content was nearly three times the legal limit.

Acosta now faces charges of murder, drunk driving, and several related offenses. She remains in the county jail on a no-bail warrant.

 Joining Nancy Grace today:

• Derek Smith - Criminal Defense Attorney   

• Dr. Angela Arnold - Psychiatrist, Atlanta, GA. Expert in the Treatment of Pregnant/Postpartum Women, Former Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynecology: Emory University, Former Medical Director of The Psychiatric Ob-Gyn Clinic at Grady Memorial Hospital

• Kimberly Cockrell - Victim Services Manager at Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) South Carolina; FB: Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Instagram: @maddnational  

• Bill Garcia - Owner of Bill Garcia Investigative Services; Facebook: Bill Garcia Investigative Services, Instagram @BGISInternational 

• Joseph Scott Morgan  -  Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author of "Blood Beneath My Feet," and Host of "Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan;" X:@JoScottForensic

• Ben Dobrin -  Emergency Response Diving Instructor and Instructor Trainer, Police Diver   

• Nina Burns - Reporter, KOVR CBS13 Sacramento; Instagram: @neeburr, Facebook: NinaBurnsReporter 

 

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