CORONA -- A Norco woman who operated a home-based day care was convicted of child abuse and battery Friday in connection with the alleged abuse of children in her care.
A jury deliberated four days in Corona Superior Court before convicting 42-year-old Connie Lynn Barrett of a felony and a misdemeanor, acquitting her on some charges, and announcing they were deadlocked on others.
A prosecutor called the mixed verdicts a "great victory."
"I was happy that justice was done for Keyara and Kylie and their families, and I'm looking forward to getting justice for the other families also," said Deputy District Attorney Elan Zektser.
Barrett is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 14, though she will likely be tried a second time for charges on which the jury deadlocked, Zektser said.
One felony, three misdemeanors and two key sentencing enhancements remain active against Barrett, according to court records.
Prosecutors accused Barrett of abusing seven children -- four girls and three boys -- between 2005 and 2008, when she operated a day care at her home in the 200 block of Seventh Street.
The most severely injured child was a 9-month-old girl named Keyara, who went into cardiac arrest at Barrett's home on Aug. 12, 2008.
The girl remains in a vegetative state, unable to breathe, swallow or move without assistance, prosecutors said.
Barrett's conviction on felony child abuse was for injuries suffered by Keyara, Zektser said.
Injuries suffered by the other six other children included broken ribs, a broken arm, and deep bruising, prosecutors said.
Barrett's attorney, Deputy Public Defender Melissa Hale, said during the trial that Barrett was wrongfully accused of injuring the children, who she said were hurt primarily through accidents and rough play.
Hale said Keyara's health quickly worsened while she was at Barrett's house. Keyara went into cardiac arrest as Barrett was trying to care for her, Hale said.