None of those allegations were ever substantiated and no action was taken. Yengich later said the mother should be re-investigated and, if innocent, should be exonerated. But if she is guilty of lying about such abuse to the judge at the sentencing, she should be held accountable for what she did.

Yengich said he believes she added years of prison time to the sentence for Gaucin-Canales and also her own daughter.

Solomon Chacon, defense attorney for Hernandez-Velasco, appealed to the judge for mercy and outlined a history of domestic violence and sexual abuse the young woman had suffered when she was a girl. Chacon also asked the judge to consider her youth and Gaucin-Canales' authoritative role as her work supervisor and an adult family friend.

Prosecutor Cristina Ortega termed the case "very difficult" and said prosecutors struggled with it, but concluded that prison was appropriate for both adults.

"Both actively participated, both did nothing to intervene and both lied to the police," Ortega said.

E-mail: lindat@desnews.com