A woman accused in connection with the death of her infant son pleaded guilty in an Ohio County courtroom on Monday.

Robin Reed pleaded guilty to child neglect resulting in death on the condition that another count be eliminated. The court upheld the recommended three- to 15-year sentence.


During Monday's hearing, much more information than state prosecutors planned to use in Reed's trial -- which was set for October -- came into the open. Emotions spiked as those in the court discussed the night Reed's 1-year-old son died.


"I bounced him for a while on my chest. He went to sleep, and I laid him down. And when I woke up the next day, I found my son. I love my kids so much," Reed said.

Reed, downtrodden, tearfully answered Circuit Judge James Mazzone's questions as to if she accepts her guilt as a result of her plea. After finalizing Reed's agreement with state prosecutors, the court moved on to her sentencing.

The defense said Reed's son suffered from a genetic condition known as failure to thrive and said Reed truly didn't realize it was her action that caused the baby's death.


Reed's defense attorney, Don Tennant, said, "Not only was there an event -- that unknowing and unintentional shaking -- but this kid also had this failure to thrive. So all of the stars were unfortunately lined up against the baby at the time the baby was handled by Ms. Reed after this passionate argument with her mother."


Prosecutors fired back fast and fiercely. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jenna Wood said, "For (Reed) to come here and ask for mercy in this court is outrageous. … There's one victim in this case and it's a little boy that was born to this woman and suffered under her care for not quite a year.

Reed's final words before the sentencing commenced were: "Your honor, I just want to say that I'm sorry for the way that everything happened. I would never intentionally hurt my kids, ever. I love both of my babies so much. That's all I have to say, your honor."

In addition to her prison sentence, Reed must relinquish rights to her daughter and file with the West Virginia State Police as a child abuser.