Woman pleads no contest after leaving 5-year-old with severe brain injuries

REDDING. Calif. — After 34-year-old Banessa Santana pleaded no contest to charges related to seriously injuring a five-year-old boy in a crash while fleeing from police, KRCR reached out to Butte County District Attorney, Mike Ramsey, who says it was not her first run-in with the law.

On Thursday this week, Santana pleaded no contest after an attempt to gain mental health diversion was rejected by a local judge. Ramsey says this means she did not plead, or admit guilt, and instead accepted the conviction.

"She, over the years, has demonstrated that she has no compunction about running from police," Ramsey told KRCR on Friday. "And, in a very dangerous way, and in this particular instance, it nearly took the life of a five-year-old and has changed his life forever. And he has serious, and sustained, injuries."

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While fleeing from police, Santana reportedly crashed into the back of another vehicle bring driven by Eric Hamilton. Hamilton's eight-year-old and five-year-old sons were also in the car during the crash. Although they were all injured in the crash, five-year-old Finley sustained major injuries.

Finley spent several weeks in the hospital following the incident. Even though his mother says he's made a miracle recovery, she says he still suffers from his injuries every day.

Santana is set to appear in court next on March 30, where she faces over 11 years in prison.

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