Mom Pleads Insane in Children Drowning Case

(Cleveland, Ohio) In October 2007, a 22-year-old local mother, Amber C. Hill, was arrested for the alleged bathtub drowning of her two daughters, Jannelle, 4, and Cecess, 2. Hill was charged with two counts of aggravated murder.

Ms. Hill allegedly had a stormy relationship with her children's father, Jaime Cintron, and the drownings occurred after a fight. On the day of the alleged crimes, Cintron threatened to take the children away from Hill and then he left for work.

In his statement, Cintron told police that Amber Hill called him about 12:30 p.m. and told him the children "were at peace."

He raced to the apartment and found the children motionless in the tub.

In a chilling 9-1-1 call, Jaime Cintron wailed, "Why? Why? Why?"

The children were taken to MetroHealth Medical Center, where they were pronounced dead. [...]

The 4-year-old, Janelle, had marks on her neck and bleeding around the eyes, an indication that she may have been strangled, Cuyahoga County Coroner Frank Miller said.

Miller said that the drowning of Janelle and her 2-year-old sister, Cecess, would happen quickly. After being submerged for just 30 seconds, they would become unconscious and, unless resuscitated, would die.

Last Thursday, Amber Hill, now 23, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity while waiving her right to a jury trial. A jury trial was scheduled to begin this Tuesday, however, now her case will be heard by a three-judge panel in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason is seeking the death penalty.