RPV Mom Whose Daughter Died In Car Gets Nearly 15 Years In Prison

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA — A Rancho Palos Verdes mother whose 2-year-old daughter died after she left her in a car with the heater on in 2019 was sentenced to nearly 15 years in state prison, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

Lacey Ana Mazzarella, 35, pleaded no contest on Oct. 20 to one count each of voluntary manslaughter, mayhem and child abuse resulting in death. Deputy District Attorney David Zygielbaum prosecuted the case.

On Sept. 22, 2019, just before midnight, Mazzarella left June Love Agosto in a car in West Carson.

The child was left covered with a blanket and the heater on while the defendant drank alcohol in another nearby vehicle until she passed out," the prosecutor said.

When Mazzarella returned early the next morning, the child was dead and the engine and heater were still running, the prosecutor said.

She found the child with vomit on her shirt and in the car seat, then took the child out of the car, put her on the grass, and sprayed a water hose on her to attempt to cool her down, KTLA reports.

The case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Mazzarella told investigators that she left the car running with the heater so her child wouldn't get cold, KTLA reports. According to the coroner's report, her temperature had reached 107.5 degrees by the time the child was taken to a hospital. She also had burns on her face, chest and arms, and her eyes appeared cloudy, authorities said.

Mazzarella does have a history of drug abuse, according to KTLA, and lost custody of her 3-year-old child about eight years ago due to neglect.