Corona couple pleads guilty to murder of their newborn baby whose body was found in cardboard box

Wednesday, August 21, 2019
CORONA, Calif. (KABC) -- A Corona couple has pleaded guilty to the murder of their newborn baby whose body was found in a cardboard box last year, according to the Riverside County District Attorney's office.

Shawna Joelle Andritch pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and Joshua Tyler Benson pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. Sentencing is scheduled for October.
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Andritch faces a possible sentence of 15 years to life in prison.

Benson faces a possible sentence of 25 years to life. He was 17 years old at the time of the murder but a judge found him unfit for juvenile court and his case was transferred to adult court.
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In July 2018, authorities responded to the area of Cajalco Road and the 15 Freeway after bystanders found the deceased infant in a cardboard box.

On Dec. 6, 2018, Corona police and other emergency personnel buried the infant, called Baby Jane Doe, at Sunnyslope Cemetery. Following the funeral, officials were given a tip in the case which led them to Andritch and Benson.
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