Denver man convicted of strangling 3-year-old child

By The Associated Press
Monday, May 7, 2012

DENVER – A 26-year-old man has been found guilty of murder, child abuse and abuse of a corpse by a Denver jury.

Angel Montoya was found guilty Monday for the 2007 death of 3-year-old Neveah Gallegos. She had been reported missing by her mother, Miriam Gallegos. Her body was later found stuffed in a trash bag.

According to KMGH-TV, Montoya faces life in prison.

Prosecutors said Montoya killed Neveah Gallegos while her mother was at work in 2007, and the couple made up a story that the girl had been kidnapped. Her mother is serving 12 years in prison, followed by five years of mandatory parole for child abuse resulting in death.