A Minneapolis woman has pleaded guilty to throwing her newborn daughter in a snowbank on a freezing-cold day early last month.
Minneapolis mom admits she tossed baby into snow
She's likely to serve 90-day term for March incident involving newborn.
April 19, 2011 at 11:53AM
Ashley Renee Couch, 21, pleaded guilty Friday in Hennepin County District Court to a single count of child endangerment and neglect, a gross misdemeanor. In exchange for her plea, a second gross misdemeanor count of child neglect was dismissed. Under terms of the deal, Couch agreed to serve three months in jail, with another nine months stayed for two years.
District Judge David Duffy will determine the final sentence May 12.
Couch was charged after the March 5 incident at 18th Street and 10th Avenue S. According to charges, Couch, who said she was upset with the baby's father for taking money from her house, chased him down the street that morning. When she caught up with him, she "slammed" the 18-day-old into the snowbank, the baby's father told police. Charges say Couch told police the baby fell out of her hands when she pushed him.
A second witness said he saw a woman throw a baby into a snowbank on the side of the road. He said he called 911 and wrapped the uncovered infant in his jacket as he waited for police. Charges say the temperature was 16 degrees.
The baby was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center, where she was treated for hypothermia with a body temperature of 95.8 degrees. She was put in an incubator and later recovered. She has been placed in foster care.
Court documents indicate Couch has received psychiatric care in the past.
ABBY SIMONS
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