Charleston woman accused in son's death pleads not guilty
CHARLESTON, Ill. (AP) - A 22-year-old woman who's been ordered to stand trial in the first-degree murder of her 2-year-old son has pleaded not guilty.
The (Charleston) Times-Courier and Mattoon Journal-Gazette reports Savannah M. Weiss appeared in court on Monday.
She's accused of failing to provide food, water and sanitary conditions for the child, which led to his death earlier this month by dehydration or starvation.
In court, police testimony showed that Weiss admitted she left the child alone for part of three days while she spent time with friends. Authorities also testified that conditions in the home were a "mixture of trash, spoiled food and animal feces."
Weiss' attorney entered a not guilty plea.
Weiss could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted.
Her next court hearing is scheduled for Jan. 8.
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Information from: Mattoon Journal-Gazette, http://www.jg-tc.com