Girl in drowning case remains on life support for now



By Logan Heley

Listen to an audio story by Annenberg Radio News

Five-year-old Marian Taque remains on life support at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles where she has been in a coma since her mother, Lorna Valle, allegedly attempted to drown her. False reports surfaced Monday night that the girl had been removed from life support and her organs donated. The false reports came after Valle’s husband Jose Lopez told KABC TV News that he had decided to take Marian off life support so her organs could be donated for transplant. Valle’s attorney, Luis Carrillo, told Annenberg Radio Tuesday afternoon that Marian would remain on life support only until doctors are able to remove her organs.

The girl’s 1-year-old sister, Lindsay Taque, was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital last Wednesday morning. Firefighters found the children unresponsive when they arrived at the home on West 50th Street.

Valle is being held by LAPD for the murder of her younger daughter and the attempted murder of the older girl. When Marian dies, Valle will face a second charge of murder.

Valle’s cousin Luis Padillas told KTLA Valle was denied treatment for her severe depression at a local hospital because she is an undocumented immigrant. Padillas said Valle wanted to return to her native country of Guatemala. LA Weekly reports the family is seeking negligence charges against the hospital.

Valle is being held on a $1.5 million bail and faces 50 years to life if convicted. Police are still investigating the case.

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