Sioux Falls woman accused of attempting to drown baby pleads guilty to child abuse
A Sioux Falls woman accused of attempting to kill her child last year when she believed he had a detachment disorder took a plea deal Thursday morning.
Julia Jacquelyn Alzoubaidi pleaded guilty to one count of abuse or cruelty to a minor, a Class 3 felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and/or a $30,000 fine. The plea deal dismisses an attempted murder charge and calls for probation with suspended prison time. The state will not object to a suspended imposition of sentence, Alzoubaidi's attorney Michael Butler said in court.
She is scheduled to be sentenced in November.
Alzoubaidi, who appeared out of custody, teared when Judge Susan Sabers asked Alzoubaidi if she admitted to "for whatever reason" intending to kill her child on Oct. 16, 2018.
More: Read the court documents in case of woman accused of attempted murder
Alzoubaidi, 35, took a benefit-of-the-bargain plea, or when defendants acknowledge taking a plea would be a benefit to their case.
Butler filed a motion in July stating they intend to enter a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity and offer expert testimony before her trial, but instead entered the benefit-of-the-bargain plea. Butler said he intends to file with the court an expert's report on Alzoubaidi's mental health.
More: 'My heart goes out to her': Mother's actions linked to mental illness
He summarized the report at Thursday's hearing, saying the expert said that it was only when Alzoubaidi was "psychotically depressed" that she thought she had to take the life of the then-6-month-old child, and has made a "remarkable medicinal recovery." She suffered from a mental condition that "deprived her of reason," he said.
Alzoubaidi was charged in October 2018 after South Dakota Highway Patrol troopers responded to a crash near the Big Sioux River along I-229 north of the Minnesota Avenue on-ramp. They found Alzoubaidi face down in the water and her 6-month-old infant near the bank. Both were taken to Avera McKennan Hospital for treatment. She had intended to kill herself and the child when she drove off the road the night of the crash, according to an affidavit.
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According to court documents and court proceedings, Alzoubaidi thought the child had a relative detachment disorder. Because of her profession as a psychologist, she said she knew children with similar disorders grew up to have a tough life.
A note found in her vehicle the morning of the crash said, "I couldn't let him live a life of misery and pain. (The child) doesn't deserve that." A pros and cons list was also found in the vehicle.
Witnesses will testify at Alzoubaidi's sentencing, likely about her character and mental health.
How to get help
There are several state and national resources for those contemplating suicide, as well as resources for family or friends who may be concerned about a loved one.
Helpline Center — Call 211 or text or text your zip code to 898211. The Helpline Center is a 24/7 call center in the Sioux Empire that assists in crisis situations and in providing mental health information.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline — 800-273-TALK (8255). The lifeline is answered by someone at a crisis center closest to your location. Other resources available online at suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741 for free 24/7 crisis support.
Email reporter Danielle Ferguson at dbferguson@argusleader.com, or follow on Twitter at @DaniFergs.
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This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Sioux Falls woman accused of attempting to drown baby last year pleads guilty to child abuse
