EPHRATA - Maribel Gomez, of Ephrata, will stay in prison, after the State Supreme Court upheld a conviction that she beat to death her 2-year-old son, Raffy, in 2003.

"It is difficult to imagine a child more vulnerable than Rafael Arechiga-Gomez, who came into this world drug-addicted. The state system designed to safeguard vulnerable children did not save Rafael," Supreme Court Judge James Johnson wrote for the majority in a 5-4 decision.

"Anytime a case goes to the Supreme Court, you can rest assured that everyone involved on both sides is making the best possible argument and putting a lot of hard work. We are very pleased that our efforts paid off and the Supreme Court upheld this very important conviction," stated Grant County Prosecuting Attorney Angus Lee.

Gomez was convicted in 2007 of homicide by abuse and sentenced to more than 26 years in prison. She appealed, arguing that her attorney was ineffective and had a conflict of interest because he represented the boy's father in a custody battle.

The court disagreed and upheld Gomez's conviction.

According to court records, Rafael was born in the backseat of a car, and had methamphetamine, cocaine and prescription drugs in his system. After birth, he was placed into foster care and later declared a dependent of the state.

State health officials gave Rafael back to his mother, Gomez, when he was 10 months old, and three months later the baby was taken to Samaritan Hospital with a broken leg and numerous bruises on his abdomen and back in the shape of a hand, according to court records.

Despite the serious injuries and a pattern of neglect, state officials let Rafael go home with his mother.

Less than three months later, Rafael was taken to Quincy Valley Medical Center for a broken left femur. Doctors found skull fractures, burns and bruises on the infant. Gomez lied about his medical records and reported a normal pregnancy, according to court records.

Hospital officials noted obvious physical abuse and Rafael was returned to his foster family.

According to court documents, after three months in foster care where the baby healed and suffered no injuries, Rafael was sent home with his mother and was dead six months later with a massive head injury.

Washington Department of Social and Health Services did not immediately return phone calls about the case.