Judge denies sentencing expert in toddler's death

IOWA CITY - A judge denied a request Friday to have a defense expert testify at a sentencing hearing for a mother convicted of child endangerment charges in her toddler's death.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Mitchell Turner said he was 'very familiar” with the case and didn't know how an expert would help.

Mireya Balderas, 21, faces 25 years in prison. Her attorney, Mark Meyers, wanted to bring in the expert to point out factors that might reduce her prison time and possibly argue for probation.

Balderas pleaded to child endangerment, neglect of a dependent person and three counts of child endangerment resulting in bodily injury. She admitted to participating and permitting ex-boyfriend Jorge Perez, also convicted in the case, to physically abuse her 20-month-old son, Marcus.

Marcus died of blunt force trauma to the head while in Perez's care. Perez, 23, was given to 50 years in prison.