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Texas woman accused of killing friend, taking baby sentenced

Published:Friday | February 3, 2023 | 8:32 AM
This undated booking photo provided by the Harris County, Texas, District Attorney's Office shows Magen Fieramusca, a Texas woman accused of kidnapping a mother in 2019 and then killing her in an elaborate scheme to pass off the victim’s baby as her own. Fieramusca pleaded guilty to murder, prosecutors said Thursday, February 2, 2023. (Harris County District Attorney's Office via AP, File)

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A Texas woman accused of killing a close friend in 2019 who had just given birth and abducting the baby as part of an elaborate scheme to pass the infant off as her own pleaded guilty to murder charges Thursday, prosecutors said.

Magen Fieramusca, 37, was sentenced to 55 years in prison for the death of Heidi Broussard, 33, Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza announced in a statement.

Fieramusca waved her right to appeal.

The conviction follows a crime in Austin, Texas, that began with the disappearance of a 3-week-old baby girl and was followed with widening interest as the investigation unfolded and police zeroed in on Fieramusca.

Police say the child was later found alive at a home in the Houston area along with Broussard's body in the trunk of Fieramusca's car.

According to an arrest affidavit at the time, Fieramusca abducted Broussard on December 12, 2019, and packed her into a black duffel.

Broussard had last been seen dropping off an older child at an elementary school in Austin.

Her death was ruled homicide by strangulation.

The baby, Margot Carey, was returned to her father.

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