Key Points Summary
- California mother Juliette Acosta charged with murder after daughter drowned in canal crash.
- Authorities say she fled the scene and was later found taking a bath.
- Her daughter Reagan, 4, was trapped in the submerged car and died at the hospital.
- Acosta now faces multiple charges and life in prison if convicted.
California Mother Charged After Daughter Dies in Canal Crash
A California mother is now facing murder charges after allegedly fleeing a drunken crash that left her four-year-old daughter trapped in a sinking car.
Juliette Acosta, 26, is accused of abandoning her daughter, Reagan Herrin, after crashing her SUV into a canal near Modesto late on March 8.
Police Say She Was Driving Drunk and Erratically
Authorities allege Acosta was speeding and swerving wildly before the crash. She sideswiped a pole, veered off the road, and plunged into the irrigation canal near the town of Hickman around 11 p.m.
Her uncle, who heard the impact, rushed to the scene. He managed to pull Acosta out of the wrecked Subaru. However, he couldn’t reach Reagan, who was still strapped into her car seat underwater.
Acosta Allegedly Fled While Daughter Drowned
Instead of helping or calling 911, Acosta reportedly fled the scene. Police later found her at a hotel nearby. Shockingly, she was in a bathtub when officers arrived.
Officials said her daughter remained trapped and fighting for her life in the submerged car during that time.
Heroic Effort Couldn’t Save Reagan
A California Highway Patrol officer later arrived and teamed up with Acosta’s uncle to rescue the child. They managed to get her out of the car, but it was too late.
Reagan was rushed to Memorial Medical Center in Modesto. Doctors tried to revive her, but she did not survive.
Charges Pile Up for California Mother
Initially, Acosta was arrested for felony DUI. Reports say her blood alcohol content was three times the legal limit.
She was released on bail, but after further investigation, prosecutors added several serious charges. These include second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter, and DUI causing injury.
She also faces a charge for allowing a child to suffer under circumstances likely to cause serious injury or death.
Suspect Now Held Without Bail
Police re-arrested Acosta. She remains in custody without bail. If convicted on all counts, she could face life in prison.
Her father, Clifford Acosta, was also detained. Authorities believe he helped her after the crash.
Community Distances Itself From Acosta
Family members of Reagan’s father, Gage Herrin, set up an online fundraiser for the child’s funeral.
The campaign stressed that it had “no affiliation with the Acosta family.” Organizers said any extra donations would go toward community efforts to prevent tragedies like this one.
Online History Shows a Different Picture
Just a few years ago, Acosta’s mother, Kari Hicks Acosta, celebrated Reagan’s upcoming birth.
She posted a joyful photo of her four daughters, including a pregnant Juliette, and shared her excitement at becoming a grandmother.
In that post, she wrote, “We are so excited!” That excitement has now turned to heartbreak and national outrage.
What Comes Next
Prosecutors are building their case. The charges are serious, and public interest in the case remains high.
Acosta’s legal team has not released a public statement. A court date has yet to be announced.
A Child’s Life Lost, a Community in Mourning
While the case moves through the system, Reagan’s loved ones mourn her loss.
Locals remember her as a bright, cheerful little girl whose life was cut short far too soon.
Now, the tragedy has sparked urgent questions about drunk driving, parenting, and accountability.
