WKBT La Crosse, WI-NewsChannel 8-Bloomington day care provider guilty in baby death
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Associated Press - November 27, 2009 9:14 AM ET
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A jury has found a Bloomington day care provider and her daughter guilty in the death of a 22-month-old boy.
A Hennepin County jury deliberated for 12 hours before finding 48-year-old Doris Meeks and 22-year-old Harmony Newman guilty Wednesday. They were convicted of second-degree manslaughter while committing child neglect and second-degree manslaughter while committing child endangerment, but acquitted of second-degree manslaughter through culpable negligence.
Prosecutors alleged that Newman watched 22 children alone Aug. 28, while Meeks ran an errand. The day care was licensed for 14 children, with two adults providing supervision always.
Demar died of asphyxiation after being buckled into a car seat in a playpen, a center buckle strapped under his chin.
Sentencing is Dec. 21. The two could face up to 10 years in prison.
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