San Jose mother confesses to strangling her 7-year-old son to death

A San Jose mother confessed to strangling her 7-year-old son to death, the boy’s body was found May 28 by hikers near a trail outside Las Vegas.

San Jose mother confesses to strangling her 7-year-old son to death

A Nevada judge on Wednesday denied bail to a San Jose mother who was told by a prosecutor that the woman had admitted to strangling her 7-year-old son.

Samantha Moreno Rodriguez, 35, made an initial video court appearance after being arrested June 8 in Denver and transferred Monday to Nevada.

The body of her son, Liam Husted, was found May 28 by hikers near a trail outside Las Vegas. Police have said they believe the woman left San Jose with her son Liam in a car full of his belongings days before he was killed.

The boy’s body remained unidentified for more than a week, according to police reports. Rodriguez was arrested after a close family friend immediately recognized the child’s image on the news.

During Wednesday’s court appearance, Rodriguez confessed to strangling her son and stripping his body before leaving him lying in the desert.

“This is a pretty egregious case,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney John Giordani. “He essentially said he got frustrated with the child and strangled him.”

Rodriguez’s only comment during the trial was to confirm his identity.

The body of her son, Liam Husted, was found May 28 by hikers near a trail outside Las Vegas. Police have said they believe the woman left San Jose with her son Liam in a car full of his belongings days before he was killed.