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Woman accused of kicking son to death sentenced to 40 years behind bars

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP/KRQE) – An Albuquerque mother has pleaded guilty in the brutal death of her son and was sentenced to 40 years behind bars.

Synthia Varela-Casaus was sentenced Friday in the 2013 kicking death of 9-year-old Omaree.

Varela-Casaus pleaded guilty to six counts including 2nd-degree murder.

Last month, Varela-Casaus’ lawyers announced that she plans to plead guilty to second-degree murder and other charges stemming from her son’s death.

An autopsy found Omaree died from severe internal bleeding caused by blunt-force trauma.

Court records show that Varela-Casaus had initially told police her son fell from a toy spring horse.

Omaree’s stepfather was sentenced in November after a jury found him guilty on charges that included tampering with evidence and acting with reckless disregard for not calling 911 sooner.