MARRIOTT-SLATERVILLE, Utah - A mother in Marriott-Slaterville was arrested Wednesday after police said she gave her four-year-old daughter so much alcohol it nearly killed her.
The Weber County Sheriff's Department charged Raquel Borce with child neglect and endangerment in connection with an incident on April 11. Borce's daughter Le'A, who was 3 years old at the time, was found unconscious and loaded with alcohol at her apartment.
"I don't know if she was just trying to make her sedated to keep her laying there to not have to do nothing with her, or if she was actually just trying to kill her. But either way, it's wrong to do either," said Paul Silva, Le'A's father.
Le'A has cerebral palsy and is unable to walk, talk or even eat without the help of a feeding tube. Silva has always contended that Le'A's mother had to have given her the alcohol, as she was the last person to see her on the day of the incident.
"I was hoping for more charges than just child abuse, like attempted murder or something. She was pretty close to dead," said Silva.
According to the Weber County Sheriff's Office, the evidence all pointed to Borce, but at this point, is only enough to prove she gave her daughter the alcohol.
"I was told that it was significant enough that it could have killed her and probably should have. It's amazing that she’s still alive. She's a small, frail, little child and it was substantial,” said Chief Deputy Klint Anderson.
According to authorities, the investigation is still open and charges could be added or upgraded. Silva said investigators are considering the possibility that Le'A has been given alcohol in the past. In the month leading up to the incident, he noticed Le'A was unusually groggy and slept for long periods of time.
Anderson said, "I can say we're still investigating it, and we're leaving that possibility open."
Over the course of their investigation, Anderson said police also uncovered evidence to warrant a second, unrelated charge for trying to arrange a drug transaction. Borce posted bail Wednesday evening, following her arrest.
According to Silva, police served Borce with a protective order last week, and he plans to file for full custody of Le'a in the future.
"She's doing awesome, perfect, healthy. She's wide awake all day, sleeps all night," said Silva.
Police said Friday Borce also has a child from another relationship and is currently 8 months pregnant. Anderson said it will be up to the Division of Child and Family Services to determine who retains custody of both of them.
