Posted: Apr 26, 2011 6:04 PM MST Updated: Apr 29, 2011 4:24 PM MST
By Leasa Conze, producer - email
TUCSON, AZ (KOLD) - A Tucson mother admits she didn't do all she could to save her son from his step-father.
Today Monica Ibarra-Dogbevi pleaded guilty to child abuse in the death of 6-year-old Michael Ibarra.
She admitted in court that she didn't protect him and didn't get medical help for him after he'd been beaten.
She told Judge Leonardo she saw her son's bruises over several months but kept quiet because she was afraid and she didn't know how to get out of the situation.
Paramedics found Michael unconscious suffering from a head injury at the family's home last August.
Before going into surgery, he woke up and told paramedics he fell down the stairs while being spanked by his step-father.
Michael went through a second emergency surgery and he was on life support for more than a week before it was removed and he died.
He was covered in bruises and his autopsy revealed he had had two spinal fractures and a broken hand.
Today his mother pleaded guilty to two counts of child abuse and as part of the plea agreement, she will testify against her husband.
Koffi Dogbevi, who is charged with first degree murder and child abuse, is set to go on trial June 28.
Child Protective Services interviewed the boy twice in the month before he died.
Both CPS and the Tucson Police Department investigated Dogbevi but he wasn't charged with anything until Michael died.
Copyright 2011 KOLD. All rights reserved.
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