IOLA, Kan. (AP) A southeastern Kansas woman will be sentenced next month for the unattended death of her son within hours of his birth.
The Iola Register reports prosecutors will seek the maximum sentence of slightly more than 13 years in prison for 23-year-old Karen Bailey, of Le Roy.
Bailey was initially charged with first-degree murder in the death of Benjamin Edward Riggs-Geisler. She pleaded no contest last week to second-degree murder. Coffey County Attorney Doug Witteman says the charge reflects that the death resulted from an act of omission.
Investigators said Bailey gave birth on April 2, 2011, while en route from Iola to her home in Le Roy, then left the baby alone in her car for several hours until he died.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 5.
