Pocono News Section

Mother admits to role in baby's death

Mother admits to role in baby's death - Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 5:46PM EST

Thursday, Jan 15, 2009 @ 05:46pm EST

A Wyoming County mother says she unintentionally killed her baby. 22 year old Sara Kintner of Washington Township pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter Thursday morning in Wyoming County court. Kintner was facing charges of 1st and 3rd degree murder. If found guilty, she could have faced life in prison. Prosecutors say Kintner hit her baby, 3 month old Chad Watson Junior in the head because he was crying during a bath. That caused bleeding on the brain and led to Watson Junior’s death. It happened in July, 2007 at Kintner’s Washington Township home. Watson Jr.’s grandmother, Stacey Hunsinger says, "Nothing's ever going to bring my grand baby back."

Hunsinger clutched a picture of her grandson at this plea hearing. Kintner pled to involuntary manslaughter, endangering the welfare of a child and endangering another person. The most time she could spend in prison is 10 years. Hunsinger says, "Like I said, nothing's enough. I know that's not going to bring him back."

Kintner was originally charged with 1st and 3rd degree murder. Her attorney, D emetrius Fannick says, "she's devastated. I mean, this was not an intentional act and she's lost her son and she knows that she's responsible for that."

The judge set Kintner's bail at 100 thousand dollars. It's not clear if she'll post that bail. Sentencing is set for next month. The minimum sentence for involuntary manslaughter is 16 months. It's possible, with time served, that Kintner could be released at her sentencing date. Kintner has been in jail since her arrest 17 and a half months ago.