Mother pleads guilty in Ohio malnutrition case

Cincinnati: The mother of a 14-year-old girl who had cerebral palsy and weighed 28 pounds (12.7kg) when she died last year pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and other charges on Friday in southwest Ohio.

Angela Norman, 42, of Dayton, entered the pleas in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court in Dayton, north of Cincinnati, court officials said.

Norman pleaded guilty to a first-degree felony count of involuntary manslaughter and to a single misdemeanour and felony counts of endangering children.

Norman's daughter, Makayla Norman, had numerous bed sores and showed other signs of neglect when she died on March 1, 2011, according to authorities. Angela Norman was indicted on the three counts last November. Three nurses who authorities said were to administer or monitor the girl's care also were charged.

Norman had been scheduled for trial on April 18 with the other three defendants.

The county coroner's office attributed the teen's death to nutritional and medical neglect complicated by her chronic condition. "She was the worst malnourished child this office has ever seen," said Ken Betz, director of the coroner's office.

Norman remained in jail on Friday with bail set at $250,000 (Dh918,275.) Her attorney did not immediately answer a call to his office.

Prosecutor Mat Heck Jr said on Friday that Angela Norman did not provide sufficient food or proper care for the child, resulting in her death.

Sentencing

The two felony counts were related to Makayla Norman's death. The misdemeanour count of endangering children involved another daughter, the prosecutor said.

Norman had been scheduled for trial April 18 with the other three defendants who have pleaded not guilty in the case.

Sentencing is set for April 24.