Woodland Mother Gets 15 Years to Life for Death of Her Infant
Samantha Green booking photo
YOLO COUNTY — The Woodland woman who was responsible for her infant son’s death in early 2015 received a prison sentence on Friday, December 9, 2016, of 15 years-to-life in prison.
Yolo County Court Judge David Rosenberg rejected Samantha Green’s plea for a new trial telling her that she violated the most basic responsibility of a parent.
“You put your child in harm’s way. And because of your actions, your child is dead,” he said.
On February 24, 2015, Green was found disheveled and disoriented near the Sacramento River about 30 miles east of Sacramento. The body of her baby, 19-day-old Justice Rees, was found the next day under heavy brush along Ridge Cut Slough, a remote area near Knights Landing after an extensive search by emergency workers on foot and by boat and helicopter.
The prior day, following an argument with the baby’s father, Frank Rees, Green set off to find him with the baby in tow. While in a methamphetamine-fueled state, she walked through 55-degree water in the slough and left her baby there. The infant was found 17 hours later and had likely died from exposure.
Judge Rosenberg told Green, 25, that he predicted her prison term would “pale in comparison to the confines of your own mind,” as she replays the events that led to the baby’s death.
The child’s father was not implicated in the baby’s death even though Yolo County Public Defender Tracie Olson said that Frank Rees had humiliated Green with open sexual liaisons and repeated requests for three- and four-way sex with other women. Olson also said that Rees regularly dosed Green with methamphetamine the days prior to justice’s death and that he wielded great control over her as both her drug connection and child’s father.
Judge Rosenberg agreed with the prosecution and Yolo County Deputy District Attorney Rob Gorman who said that Green knew the effects of her meth use, but continued her destructive path anyway.
“The verdict of the jury is supported by the evidence,” said Rosenberg. “The jury has spoken. It really is a tragic case all around.
Green will be eligible for parole in approximately 14 years.
