By Pam Regensberg
Camera Staff Writer

A Lafayette mother who attorneys said was suffering from depression when she and her 9-year-old daughter ingested 175 pills in an apparent suicide attempt pleaded guilty to reduced charges on Thursday.

Isabel Perez-Moncada faced a mandatory prison sentence and deportation to Mexico if she had been convicted of the original charges of attempted first-degree murder and felony child abuse, her attorney, John Case, said during the hearing.

Through an interpreter, Perez-Moncada tearfully pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal trespass, a felony, and third-degree assault — fabricated charges that don't fit the circumstances of the crime but will require her to be supervised by probation officials.

"It's been very difficult trying to resolve this case," prosecutor Bruce Langer said.

Langer and Case agreed that Perez-Moncada is mentally ill and could benefit from the plea agreement, which carries a sentence of four years of probation.

If she continues her treatment and taking her prescribed medication, Perez-Moncada should not be a danger to the community or her family, Langer said.

Case said his client has a history of suicide attempts, typically brought on by extreme financial or family pressure.

On Aug. 7, 2001, that played out again.

On that day, according to an arrest warrant affidavit, Perez-Moncada's 9-year-old daughter told police she took 75 Klonopin — an anti-seizure medication prescribed to her 15-year-old sister, who has cerebral palsy — so she could go to heaven and be with her mother, who had taken 100 of the pills.

Officers found a note at Perez-Moncada's apartment at 590 Merlin Drive, spelling out her and her daughter's intentions.

The girl told police that her mother asked her if she wanted to live or die. When the child said she wanted to live, the mother responded, "Well, I want to die," according to the affidavit.

"Her mother proceeded to tell her that the utilities were going to be shut off, the car repossessed, that there was no money and that her work did not pay her enough to pay the bills, and she couldn't take any more," the affidavit said.

Family members are caring for Perez-Moncada's daughters, but attorneys said they will be reunited at a later time.

Contact Pam Regensberg at (303) 473-1329 or regensbergp@thedailycamera.com.

May 31, 2002

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