A Stamford woman took a plea deal Thursday and will be sentenced to eight years in prison for her role in her daughter-in-law’s death. Mercedes Martinez, 66, showed no emotion as she responded, “guilty,” over and over again in connection to the death of Iris Lopez, 36. Police said the mother of four died after Martinez and her son, Hector Lopez, failed to get his wife the medical help she needed. Martinez’s appearance in Stamford Superior Court about six weeks after Hector Lopez, 48, took a plea deal.

The case dates back to November 2018 when Stamford police responded to the Southwood Square apartment where the Lopezes lived with their kids and Martinez. Police found Iris Lopez unconscious and covered in bruises, new and old, according to the arrest warrants. Iris Lopez was rushed to the hospital but died from a brain bleed due to blunt force head trauma, the warrants said. Police blamed the lack of timely emergency care and said Martinez and Hector Lopez put off calling for help, even as Iris Lopez’s condition got worse.

“It's been six long years waiting for something,” Norma Estrella, Iris Lopez’s mother, told News 12.

On Thursday, there was finally movement in the case. Martinez pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of intentional cruelty to persons, along with charges of hindering prosecution, tampering with evidence and three counts of risk of injury to a minor. In exchange, she'll get 15 years in prison, suspended after she serves eight, followed by five years of probation. If Martinez violates probation, she could face up to another seven years.

Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Michelle Manning told the court that while Martinez was initially charged with manslaughter, the state opted to downgrade the charge and make a plea offer after reviewing the evidence, meeting with witnesses and learning of potential legal issues with the manslaughter charge. Manning referenced a prior case where the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled, “an omission to act” cannot be a basis for a reckless assault or manslaughter charge.

After court, Martinez’s attorney, Lindy Urso, said he wasn’t happy with the deal.

“I think it's far too much time for her role in the offense. She made some mistakes. I don't think she's the cause of what happened,” Urso stated. “But look, she's got almost six years in jail pre-trial. It made sense for her to take the deal. She's hoping to get a parole hearing in short order and try to get out and move on with her life. She's remorseful for sure.”

In late October, Hector Lopez pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide, intentional cruelty to persons, three counts of violation of a protective order and four counts of risk of injury to a minor. His deal calls for him to serve 10 years in prison, followed by five years of probation. He could face up to 10 more years if he violates probation.

Iris Lopez's family said they wanted both defendants to serve more time, but told News 12 it's important for the case to finally come to an end.

“We weren't pleased with the outcome, but nothing is going to bring my daughter my back. Nothing will bring her back, but we want closure. When we get this closure, we can all rest a little easier and my daughter can rest in peace,” Estrella explained, adding that their hearts will never be healed.

Estrella said Iris’ four kids, now ages 10 through 24, are going through a lot. She and other family members got emotional in court as Manning went over the details of what happened to Iris Lopez, including how Martinez told police she heard Iris Lopez vomit and then, fall and hit her head.

“She then went out and found the victim to be unresponsive, foaming from the mouth and her hands were twitching. She suggested at that time to Hector Lopez that they call an ambulance, but Hector Lopez refused to do so, telling her that if medical help arrived, medical authorities would think he inflicted the bruises on her. So, they did not call for help,” Manning stated.

That didn’t happen for 12 hours.

Manning told the court Martinez lied to police about what happened to her daughter-in-law and also deleted text messages between her and her son to try to hide the truth.

Martinez and Hector Lopez will be sentenced together on Feb 26. Both have been in custody since July 2019.

Hector Lopez has prior convictions for domestic violence.