The case of her girlfriend - accused of ignoring the abuse - is ongoing
TRENTON - A Trenton woman initially accused by prosecutors of, "torturing," her 10-year-old son is expected to be sentenced in a month, the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office said Friday.
Skarlett Diaz-Hildalgo, 25, pleaded guilty to second-degree child endangering in January - nearly a year and a half after she was arrested.
But as Diaz-Hildalgo awaits her sentencing, the case of her then-girlfriend, Graciela Silva-Izquierdo, 37, remains at its beginning stages.
Silva-Izquierdo, is accused of ignoring Diaz-Hildalgo's abuse and was charged with neglect of a child and two years ago.
She appeared in court Friday to ask for a new attorney. By way of a translator, she told Superior Court Judge Robert Billmeier that she and her previous attorney, Don Savatta, had a "breakdown," in their relationship.
She was issued a public defender Friday.
Woman accused of abuse pleads not guilty
The request is the latest in a case that started in the summer of 2014 when Diaz-Hildalgo's 10-year-old son was reported missing.
Police found the boy in late July and arrested Diaz-Hildalgo shortly after. Prosecutors later said the boy ran away because of the torture.
Authorities said at the time that Diaz-Hildalgo had hit her son with extension cords, forced him to kneel on sharp objects and rubbed ropes along his neck, creating open wounds.
They said that Silva-Izquierdo witnessed or knew about all of the abuse but did not alert authorities or do anything to keep the boy from being injured.
Silva-Izquierdo later admitted on video to the abuse, prosecutors have said. She will be sentenced on May 13.
Anna Merriman may be reached at amerriman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @anna_merriman Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.