LA PLATA, Md. (AP) — A woman found pushing her dead son in a playground swing in Maryland last year will avoid time in prison or a mental institution under a plea deal.
News media outlets report that as part of the deal accepted Monday, a Charles County judge found Romechia Simms not criminally responsible. Simms entered an Alford plea to involuntary manslaughter, avoiding a trial on the more serious charges of manslaughter, first-degree child abuse and child neglect resulting in death.
In an Alford plea, the defendant does not admit guilt, but acknowledges that prosecutors have enough evidence to convict.
Under a conditional release order, Simms must take her medication and see a psychiatrist.
The 25-year-old had been suffering from schizophrenia when she pushed her 3-year-old son Ji’Aire Lee on a swing for more than 40 hours before he died of hypothermia and dehydration.
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Information from: The Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com
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