An Oceanside mom who pleaded guilty to drowning her toddler son has been sentenced to at least 21 years in prison.
Veronica Rivas admitted to second-degree murder in the death of 22-month-old Elijah.
She faces a punishment of 21 years to life in prison as part of the sentenced handed down on Friday morning.
Officers were called to Rivas' condo on Woodpark Way when the child's grandmother called 911.
When Oceanside Police arrived, they started CPR on Elijah until paramedics could arrive. However, they were unable to save him, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators say during questioning, Rivas confessed to drowning her son.
A nanny for Elijah told NBC 7 Rivas has been in a custody battle with the boy's father, a Marine, for the past two months.
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Rivas later said she drowned her son to save him from his pedophiliac father. Elijah's father, a Marine, has never spoken publicly about the case. It's unclear if Rivas' allegations are being investigated.
