CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) - A Chattanooga mother has pleaded guilty to child abuse in the 2006 death of her daughter.
The Chattanooga Times Free Press (https://bit.ly/1o8nD2I) reports Traci Carpenter entered the plea Wednesday in Hamilton County Criminal Court in the death of 18-month-old Sierra Carpenter. She faces a two- to four-year sentence.
She was facing a charge of aggravated child neglect, which was dropped as part of the plea agreement.
A sentencing hearing was set for May 19. Prosecutors will argue for jail time while defense attorneys will argue for probation.
Sierra died of respiratory problems and blunt-force trauma to the head. A medical examiner’s report detailed signs of ongoing abuse, including bleeding on the brain.
Carpenter’s former boyfriend, Brian Rutherford, was acquitted of charges in the child’s death in 2008.
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Information from: Chattanooga Times Free Press, https://www.timesfreepress.com
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