Ecuador court upholds 26-year sentence for mother who murdered her baby

The Provincial Court of Chimborazo has ratified a 26-year prison sentence for a woman found guilty of murdering her newborn baby in Guano, Ecuador. The conviction against Jennifer Belén G. T., who was 18 at the time of the crime, was confirmed by the Criminal Chamber of the Provincial Court of Justice.

The tragic events unfolded in February 2025, when Jennifer Belén G. T., who was 40 weeks pregnant, gave birth to a baby girl. Shortly after the birth, she caused the infant's death by asphyxiation and subsequently concealed the body.

Her mother later took her to the Riobamba General Hospital due to severe stomach pain and abdominal swelling. Medical examination revealed signs of recent childbirth. When questioned, Jennifer revealed the baby was hidden in a white wardrobe. Police discovered the infant's body there. An autopsy confirmed the cause of death as mechanical asphyxiation, classifying it as a homicide.

During the appeal hearing, the Provincial Prosecutor's Office presented evidence, including forensic medical reports and police testimonies, which had previously led to a conviction in December 2025. The court upheld the original sentence, processing the case under the crime of murder as defined in Ecuador's penal code.