DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A Waterloo woman has pleaded guilty to reduced charges in the death of a 2-year-old boy who swallowed medication while riding in her car.
Amanda Roena Leonard-Hellum, 39, was scheduled to go to trial Tuesday in the June 2019 death of Maximus Leonard-Hellum, who she planned to adopt.
She was originally charged with child endangerment causing death but in her plea deal, she entered a written plea in April to neglect of a dependent person, The Waterloo Falls Courier reported.
People were interested in these podcasts
She remains free until sentencing, which is tentatively scheduled for June.
Authorities said Maximus took the pills while Leonard-Hellum was driving from Waterloo to Des Moines to visit her boyfriend in June 2019. After discovering what had happened, Leonard-Hellum chose to monitor the boy rather than seek medical help.
Police were called the next day and found the boy dead.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.