A West Michigan woman, Leticia Gonzales, will face trial following the drowning deaths of her three young sons. Gonzales had previously entered a no-contest plea to a single count of operating while intoxicated causing death, stemming from a February 2022 incident where her SUV crashed into an icy pond. However, she withdrew her plea after Ottawa County Circuit Judge Jon Hulsing rejected a plea agreement that would have resulted in a one-year jail sentence. The judge indicated he intended to impose a sentence of four to 15 years if she adhered to the plea deal.
The incident occurred when Gonzales' vehicle veered off the road, went over a curb, and plunged into the pond. Her sons, aged 4, 3, and 1, were trapped in their car seats and tragically drowned. Gonzales sustained minor injuries. Authorities allege she was under the influence of two doses of methadone at the time of the crash. She was initially charged with three counts of operating while intoxicated causing death in July 2022.
