Grandmother pleads guilty in death of child
Associated PressAssociated Press , INFORUM
Published: 11/02/2009
LAKEVILLE, Minn. – Prosecutors say a 46-year-old Lakeville woman has pleaded guilty to one charge of second-degree manslaughter in the death of her 6-week-old grandson in May.
Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said Tina Miller-Steiner was sentenced Monday to 45 days in jail and 10 years probation. A four-year prison sentence was stayed.
She must also pay restitution. It’s a downward departure from the state sentencing guidelines, but was agreed to by all the parties.
Miller-Steiner has said she drank two martinis and took some prescription medicine while baby-sitting her grandson May 9. Prosecutors alleged she fell asleep on top of the child and killed him.
Backstrom said in a news release that he hopes she gets the help she needs for her chemical dependency issues.
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