Texas Mom Gets 28 Years Prison in Death of Infant

(Cleburne, Texas) In April 2007, Aimee Andrea Fisher-Riza was arrested after leading police on a 40-minute, high-speed chase which culminated in a crash and the death of her unrestrained 9-month-old daughter. Alexxus Riza, riding in the front seat, was ejected and died. At the time, officers did not know that an infant was in the vehicle.

Fisher-Riza was wanted for allegedly stealing between $28,000 and $40,000 from her employer, Goody's Department Store. Deputies found two money-filled deposit bags in her car after the crash.

This week, 37-year-old Fisher-Riza was sentenced to 28 years in prison after being convicted by a jury of murder and serious bodily injury to a child.

Jurors deliberated about three hours before deciding on 28 years for the murder charge and 20 years on the injury charge, both sentences to be served concurrently. Because the jury found that a deadly weapon was involved, she must serve half of her sentence before being eligible for parole.

Prosecutor Dale Hanna said that the punishment sent a powerful message to people who run from the police.