OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas mother whose 17-month-old son died in a fire after she left him home alone was sentenced Thursday to three years of probation.
Karlie Phelps, of Shawnee, pleaded guilty in August to involuntary manslaughter and endangering a child. If she violates the terms of her probation, she faces 18 years in prison.
Authorities say her son’s body was found in February in a crib as firefighters battled flames.
The child’s father, Nicholas Ecker has been charged with first-degree murder and aggravated arson.
Court records said Ecker, who was barred from contacting Phelps after he was charged with domestic violence, was inside the home minutes before firefighters responded to the blaze.
Phelps admitted to investigators that she left the child alone while she went to another home with the intent of buying prescription pain medication. She wound up rushing home when she learned of the fire.
Investigators said the fire was intentionally set. No ignitable liquids were found at the scene of the fire.
