Bio

Asuncion "Suzie" Avila-Villa was born in 1983. She lived in Hamilton in Butler County, Ohio. Reports place her residence on Shuler Avenue.

News reports described her as a mother of four and also as a mother of five. Her sisters cared for her children during the period covered by the records. Two of her older daughters were allowed to visit with her before she was taken back to jail.

She told police and others that she had bipolar disorder and that she took medication. Defense lawyers said she had a significant mental health background. They tried to gather her medical records and said they planned to look into her past in California.

Neighbors and others who spoke to police described problems with her parenting. Some said she did not act as a good mother and that a three-year-old child did many tasks around the house.

In court she often spoke little. When a judge asked if she worked she shook her head no. When asked about an attorney she said, "I need one." At one hearing she invoked her Fifth Amendment right on advice of counsel.

A judge later held a hearing about her competency. After that hearing the judge ruled she was competent to stand trial.

Murder Story

Asuncion "Suzie" Avila-Villa was arrested in August 2009 in Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio. She had called police on August 24, 2009, to report her infant missing. She was held in the Butler County Jail beginning in August 2009.

Authorities charged Avila-Villa with aggravated murder, gross abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. A grand jury added the unlawful sexual conduct charge, saying the father was under the age of 16. Prosecutors sought the death penalty.

A judge set bond at $1 million. Court filings showed prosecutors planned hearings in January and February 2010 on various pretrial matters. Defense lawyers filed a 39-page argument challenging Ohio's death-penalty laws and asked to close some pretrial hearings. Prosecutors filed an 18-page response defending the constitutionality of the death penalty.

Avila-Villa invoked her right to remain silent during a February 2010 court session. The court later held a competency hearing. On February 12, 2010, Butler County Common Pleas Judge Andrew Nastoff ruled she was competent to stand trial.

Police testimony and records showed Avila-Villa had told officers about mental health issues and that she had failed a polygraph test. Defense lawyers said she had a significant mental health history and sought medical records. Prosecutors said her mental health could be a factor in mitigation.

Avila-Villa remained in custody while the case moved through the courts. On April 12, 2011, she pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and three other felony charges in Butler County Common Pleas Court. She was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in exchange for her guilty pleas.

Her defense attorneys and the prosecutor said her documented mental health history influenced the decision to accept the plea. By taking the plea, Avila-Villa gave up the right to appeal. Her sisters were reported to be caring for her other children.