A Lake Stevens woman stood before a Snohomish County Superior Court judge Wednesday and admitted that she was “reckless” in causing the Jan. 21 death of her 4-year-old stepdaughter, Sirita Sotelo.
Michael V. Martina / The Herald
Heather B. Ewell, 25, was arraigned on a first-degree manslaughter charge and immediately pleaded guilty.
The girl suffered a skull fracture and injuries to her liver. Either injury could have killed her within minutes, court documents say.
Ewell stands to serve between 61/2 and 81/2 years in prison under state sentencing laws. Deputy prosecutor Craig Matheson will recommend the high end of the range. Judge George Bowden is scheduled to sentence Ewell on May 12.
Ewell appeared nervous but showed little emotion as she stood beside Everett defense lawyer Mark Mestel. Her guilty plea headed off the possible filing of more serious second-degree murder charges, Mestel told the judge.
About a dozen family and friends came to support Ewell, saying they are stunned she would have harmed a child.
“She loves her children. She loves all kids. I can’t imagine what must have been going on to push her so far to harm a child,” friend Leona Weewie said.
Ewell mentioned she was having problems with Sirita, Weewie said.
“She tried to get help, but all these places she went, she couldn’t get help,” Weewie said.
One of Sirita’s former foster fathers, Gary, said help is available for parents, including hotlines that provide counseling, referrals to parenting classes and temporary placement for children.
“Partly, I feel sorry for her. She was in over her head,” Gary said of Ewell. “Of course, I want her put away for a very long time.”
The Woodinville man asked The Herald to withhold his last name to protect the identity of his other foster children. He has been pushing to get legislation passed that would limit the time parents have to regain custody of their children once they’re taken away.
“Sirita’s death really drives home that we have to stop putting kids back in dangerous situations,” he said.
Matheson asked the judge to order a presentence report by the state Department of Corrections so the judge will “have as much information as possible.” Bowden approved that.
Matheson also asked for $75,000 bail because of the nature of the crime and the amount of prison time Ewell faces. She has not been in custody.
Mestel protested, saying his client has been in frequent contact with authorities since the child’s death.
“From the inception, she knew she was the target of the investigation,” Mestel told the judge.
Ewell has four of her own children, ages 1 to 8, Mestel said. Although the state has taken them out of the home, Ewell should be allowed supervised contact with them, he added.
Bowden allowed her to go free on her personal recognizance, but ordered her to be placed on electronic home detention if the jail is able to accommodate that. The lawyers will meet April 8 to report on the availability of electronic detention.
The child had been living with her biological father and Ewell at a home in the 2500 block of 101st Avenue SE. On Jan. 21, Ewell and Sirita’s aunt at first told police the girl might have swallowed glue gun cleaning solvent, but an autopsy revealed head and internal injuries.
Sirita previously had been in foster care because of her biological mother’s drug use, Matheson said. The girl later was moved from foster care and sent to live with Ewell and Sirita’s father.
According to documents, Ewell’s husband, John Ewell, told authorities that his wife became depressed and upset over the addition of Sirita to the family.
Reporter Jim Haley: 425-339-3447 or haley@heraldnet.com.
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