Woman Found Innocent After 22 Years in Prison Will Not Be Deported

Carmen Mejia, 54, who spent more than 22 years behind bars after a conviction in the 2003 scalding death of a 10-month-old in Austin, will be allowed to remain in the United States, federal officials said. Judge P. David Wahlberg of Travis County dismissed the charges on Monday and formally declared her innocent after the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned her conviction earlier this year, citing new evidence that proved she was actually innocent.

Ms. Mejia had been convicted in 2005 of murder and injury to a child and sentenced to life with the possibility of parole, a verdict she long contested. She remained in custody after an immigration detainer was placed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement when her legal status lapsed during her imprisonment; the Homeland Security Department said ICE will lift the detainer and that she may stay in the country until her Temporary Protected Status expires.

The case against Ms.

United States, Austin, Texas

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