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NAPA, Calif. – A judge denied a Napa mother’s request to attend the funeral of her children, who were killed in a crash where she is suspected of driving under the influence.
Remains behind bars
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What we know:
Napa County Superior Court Judge Scott Young denied Yesica Barajas’ request on Friday. Barajas, 31, remains in custody with her bail set at $500,000, reduced from $1.5 million on Tuesday.
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It’s unclear if Barajas will be able to raise the funds to secure her release.
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The charges
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What’s next:
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Barajas is charged with two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, a felony count of driving under the influence of alcohol and a drug causing injury, and two counts of felony child abuse.
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She faces up to 13 years in prison if convicted on all charges.
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The backstory:
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Barajas was arrested on March 16 following the crash that killed her son, 10-year-old Damian Montanez, and daughter, 9-year-old Aaliyah Montanez.
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The California Highway Patrol was notified at 7:20 a.m. that day of a car accident on the southbound side of Highway 29 at the Imola Avenue off-ramp. The driver who reported the crash said a black Nissan had veered off the road and crashed into a tree.
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An investigator said the driver was speeding.
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Barajas was injured in the crash and briefly hospitalized at Queen of the Valley Hospital. Upon her release, she was booked into the Napa County Department of Corrections.
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Napa County records show Barajas has a history of traffic violations, which influenced the charges brought against her.
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“Barajas additionally faces allegations that the crimes encompassed serious felonies, great bodily injury, bodily injury to more than one victim, vulnerable victims, that she was in a position of trust, and that the crimes constitute an increased level of seriousness from her prior crimes,” the Napa County District Attorney said in a statement shortly after her arrest.
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The Source: Napa County District Attorney’s Office, previous reporting
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