A Merrimack mother sent to prison after her 8-month-old son drowned in a bathtub will not be released.Click to watch News 9's coverage.A parole board denied early release Thursday for Melissa Gutierrez. She has served about three and a half years of a five- to 10-year sentence after she pleaded guilty to negligent homicide.Gutierrez left her 2-year-old and 8-month-old children in a bathtub in her Merrimack home in 2011 with the water running. Her 8-month-old son, Christian, drowned.Gutierrez told the board she has worked on herself, addressing her addictions and realizing that her actions affect those around her.The parole board said she needs to get more counseling for mental health and substance abuse before it will consider her release."And you are overcoming a significant crime," board member Leslie Mendenhall said. "A life was lost, and we can't forget that. So, making sure that you've put yourself in the best position to make sure that never happens again is the most important thing."Officials said Gutierrez will likely be able to apply for parole again in about three months.

A Merrimack mother sent to prison after her 8-month-old son drowned in a bathtub will not be released.

Click to watch News 9's coverage.


A parole board denied early release Thursday for Melissa Gutierrez. She has served about three and a half years of a five- to 10-year sentence after she pleaded guilty to negligent homicide.

Gutierrez left her 2-year-old and 8-month-old children in a bathtub in her Merrimack home in 2011 with the water running. Her 8-month-old son, Christian, drowned.

Gutierrez told the board she has worked on herself, addressing her addictions and realizing that her actions affect those around her.

The parole board said she needs to get more counseling for mental health and substance abuse before it will consider her release.

"And you are overcoming a significant crime," board member Leslie Mendenhall said. "A life was lost, and we can't forget that. So, making sure that you've put yourself in the best position to make sure that never happens again is the most important thing."

Officials said Gutierrez will likely be able to apply for parole again in about three months.