No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveTica Sentenced for Shaking U.S. Baby

Tica Sentenced for Shaking U.S. Baby

Ligia María Naranjo, 29, was sentenced Sunday to 10 years in jail for mistreating a five-month-old baby who was in her care when the Costa Rican woman worked as a nanny in Boulder, Colorado.

In exchange for a reduced six- to 10-year sentence, Naranjo pled guilty July 28 to two counts of child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury, according to an online story by the Daily Times-Call, a northern Colorado newspaper.

Boulder police arrested Naranjo March 8, after her employers, Christina and Sean McLaughlin, took their baby, Von, to a local hospital.

Doctors determined Von had suffered bleeding on the brain on two occasions, and a broken collarbone, both likely results of shaken-baby syndrome, the Daily Times-Call reported.Von is now developing normally.

Naranjo had been taking care of Von and the couple’s other young son since January. Sean McLaughlin told investigators Naranjo said she shook the baby to make sure he was OK, the Daily Times-Call reported. Naranjo apologized in court Sept. 8, saying she never meant to hurt the baby.

Naranjo’s parents, who live in Moravia, northeast of San José, visited Boulder to be with her during her court dates, the daily La Nación reported. The former Sunday school teacher and aspiring art student’s Web profile, profile.xanga.com/liblue, apparently created before the March 8 incident, listed among her interests God, Starbucks, Colorado, photography and “Delaney and Von of course!! My two lil’ angels… so cuute!”

 

Trending Now

Paulo Wanchope expected back at Herediano for a third spell in charge

The former Manchester City and West Ham striker is reported to be closing an agreement to take over at Herediano, a job he has held twice before. The club has not announced it.

Nurses Strike at Hospital México After Staffing Talks Collapse

More than 180 nurses walked out at one of Costa Rica's three national referral hospitals after talks with the CCSS ended without agreement.

Thousands of Dead Crabs Wash Ashore on Guanacaste Beaches

Thousands of dead crabs have washed up along some of Guanacaste's best-known beaches, and nobody yet knows why. The animals have turned up at...

Guanacaste Airport Outpaces Costa Rica’s Main Airport

Costa Rica welcomed more than 2 million international tourists during the first seven months of 2026, but the clearest sign of change was not...

Costa Rican Surfers Chase a Home Title as WSL Finals Day Runs at Playa Hermosa

The quarterfinals, semifinals and final of the Garabito Surf City Pro all run Sunday at Playa Hermosa, with Leilani McGonagle carrying the strongest Costa Rican result into the closing rounds.

How to watch Serena and Venus Williams play doubles in Costa Rica today

Serena and Venus Williams play doubles at the Cincinnati Open tonight at 5 p.m. Costa Rica time. Here is where to watch it and what to avoid.

Costa Rica Asked to Explain Fishing Boats Seen in Puntarenas Estuary

The appearance of two fishing boats in the Puntarenas estuary has led a Costa Rican ocean conservation advocate to ask authorities for more information...

Costa Rica Court Questions Tourism Projects on Public Forest Land

Costa Rica’s Constitutional Chamber will examine whether some tourism projects allowed on state-owned forest land should continue to be classified as low-impact activities. The...

Costa Rica President Sends Eight Major Proposals to Congress

President Laura Fernández has presented eight new bills that could change how Costa Rica handles pensions, loans, government contracts, internet funding and several other...
Avatar
🌴 The Weekly Pura Vida

Costa Rica, Once a Week

The week's top stories, weather & insider tips — delivered every Sunday. One email, zero clutter.

🔒 Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel