A Van Nuys woman accused of taking a car with an 11-month-old boy inside in April pleaded no contest Friday to a felony count of child abuse.
Maria Elizabeth DeLaTorre, 37, is facing four years in state prison, with sentencing set July 3 in a Van Nuys courtroom, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
A second charge - a felony count of driving or taking a vehicle without consent - is expected to be dismissed as a result of DeLaTorre's plea, according to Ricardo Santiago of the District Attorney's Office.
The boy was inside a car that was left running as the boy's mother stood feet away with another son on April 3, said Deputy District Attorney Kelly Kraetsch.
Authorities launched a massive search after the white 2001 Infiniti G-20 sedan was taken from the 15400 block of Gault Street, near Sepulveda Boulevard, in Van Nuys, police said.
The car was found nearby about two hours later with the boy still in his car seat and alone but unharmed, according to the prosecutor.
DeLaTorre was taken into custody May 9, five weeks after she told authorities she would voluntarily surrender, Los Angeles police said.
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She has remained behind bars since then, according to jail records.
