Corona Couple Pleads Guilty to Killing and Dumping Newborn Under 15 Freeway

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RIVERSIDE, Ca. – A couple pleaded guilty to the July 2018, murder of their newborn daughter who was left in a cardboard box under the 15 freeway, near Cajalco.

The baby girl was found in a yellow 38-count corn dog box that was reported by a landscaper in the area. The baby’s body was still covered in afterbirth and was left with a stuffed animal, a blanket, and was wrapped in a men’s t-shirt, authorities said. Following the discovery of the deceased newborn the Corona Police Department urged the public to come forward with any information that they had. Several months of following tips led authorities to Joshua Tyler Benson, 18, and Shawna Joelle Andrich, 23, both of Corona.

Through investigation detectives learned that the two had planned to kill the baby from the beginning. The couple followed through with the plan, and left the deceased baby in the box under the freeway, according to the Riverside County District Attorney. The couple pleaded guilty on Tuesday, August 20, 2019, to the murder of the newborn baby, known as “Baby Jane”, during a felony settlement conference. Benson pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and Andrich pled guilty to second-degree murder.

The pair will be sentenced on October 18, 2019, Benson faces 25 years to life and Andrich faces 15 years to life. Although Benson was 17-years-old at the time of the murder, Riverside County Juvenile Court judge found him unfit for juvenile court on June 25, 2019. His case was transferred to the adult court.

“The Corona Police Department would like to thank the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office and our detectives for their determined handling of Baby Janes case,” Corona Police officials said. “Although the sentencing will not bring Baby Jane back, we are thankful those responsible have been held accountable.”