COLUMBIA COUNTY, Pa. — Angelica Rivera was back in Columbia County court Wednesday on trial, accused of killing her one-year-old daughter Amara Diaz in June of 2021.
On Wednesday, the prosecution played an audio recording showing that Rivera originally told police she found the Amara face up in her bed, not breathing and blue.
But she later told police the baby was face down on the bed.
Prosecutors also played audio from an interview with Rivera, where she told police after she discovered the baby dead, she picked her up and changed her diaper before calling anyone for help.
Investigators say autopsy results also showed that Amara's teeth were lodged in her lip; she also had skull fractures and brain swelling.
Investigators compared the severity of those injuries with those of a person involved in a high-speed car crash.
The prosecution also presented a timeline of Rivera's boyfriend's movements showing he spent the morning outside of the apartment, running errands and fixing his car.
On Wednesday, the defense began presenting their case. They played several recorded interviews with Rivera's boyfriend. He says he heard the baby cry that morning before running errands, leaving Rivera home with the baby and her other 2-year-old daughter.
The trial will resume Friday morning, with the defense continuing their case.