Delco woman held in death of infant son

A Collingdale woman was held for trial Tuesday in the death of her 11-month-old son from acute heroin intoxication.

Christina Rivero, 29, was charged with third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and other crimes in the July 15 death of Niccolo Varner.

A medical examiner's report found that the child had ingested heroin. Rivero admitted to police that she was outside her home using heroin the night before the child was found unresponsive in his crib.

During a preliminary hearing before District Judge Laurence J. McKeon, detectives testified that when Rivero was questioned after the child's death, she changed her story numerous times. Collingdale Detective Daniel Leicht testified that Rivero returned to the house shortly after the baby had been pronounced dead to collect a crack pipe. - Mari A. Schaefer