Mother charged in baby’s death is a no-show at court

Kim Smith

Thursday, March 2, 2000 | 11:48 a.m.

A Las Vegas woman scheduled to go on trial Tuesday in the death of her 2-month-old son failed to show up and a warrant has been issued for her arrest.

Deputy Clark County District Attorney Teresa Lowery said Norma Leticia Renova, 30, was charged with murder by child abuse after Jose Olvera died Sept. 3, 1997.

Authorities believe the infant died as a result of shaken baby syndrome, Lowery said.

The baby was brought to an emergency room Sept. 1, 1997, and died two days later, Lowery said. An investigation revealed that Lowery had been alone with the baby in the hours before he was brought to the hospital.

Jose was the fourth of Renova's children. At the time of his death, two of his siblings were living in Arizona with their grandparents and the third was with a babysitter.

Renova has had two other babies since Jose died and both were placed with Child Protective Services, Lowery said.

Lowery said Renova's common-law husband told Chief District Judge Lee Gates that he hasn't seen his wife since Friday.

Gates then issued a no-bail warrant.

If convicted, Renova faces a mandatory life sentence.