A Dallas woman has been sentenced to 25 years in state prison after a Collin County jury found her guilty of murder in the death of her 15-month-old child. The verdict came on June 18, according to court records, concluding a case that began with the child's death in August 2025.
Vanessa Esquivel, 28, was arrested by Frisco Police Department officers following the incident. Authorities stated that the toddler was left inside Esquivel’s vehicle for approximately two hours on a day when temperatures reached at least 95 degrees. The car was parked without air conditioning running.
Police reports indicate that Esquivel arrived at her workplace, located in the 3200 block of Preston Road, around 2 p.m. Investigators alleged she intentionally left the child in the vehicle after arriving at the job site. The extreme heat inside the unventilated car led to the child's death.
Esquivel entered a plea of not guilty during the legal proceedings. Despite her defense, the jury convicted her of murder. The sentencing of 25 years was determined by the same jury that reached the guilty verdict.
Frisco is about 12 miles west of McKinney.
