PEDREROS COMMITTED TO NAPA STATE HOSPITAL

Claudia Pedreros will be committed to the Napa State Hospital.
 
"Today was her placement hearing," Trinity County Deputy District Attorney Adam Grace said. "The jury found her guilty by reason of insanity," 

Pedreros will stay in the county jail until a bed opens up at the Napa facility. 
 
"Unfortunately the Department of Health here in California is under a lot of stress because of this population and the relationship of the beds available," Defense Attorney Russell Clanton said.
 
If Pedreros hasn't been moved to the Napa facility by February 5, attorneys will meet at the Trinity County Courthouse to see what they can do to speed up the process.
 
On December 17, Pedreros was convicted of one count of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of child abuse in relation to the death of her 2 year-old daughter Sophia.
 
Sophia was found dead in the Trinity River in May of 2011.
 
"When we prosecuted the case and we thought she was guilty of more serious charges, it was always an issue what her mental state was,” Grace said. “The jury clearly decided whatever she did— she wasn't in the mental state to commit a murder."
 
Clanton said receiving mental health treatment is the best course of action for Pedreros.
 
“We think that's appropriate,” Clanton said. “I don't think anyone would be in the position to assume she doesn't need treatment." 
 
Once she’s undergone 6 months of treatment her status at the hospital will be examined.
 
Grace said Pedreros could be in for a maximum of eleven years and four months and that could be extended with an additional hearing.