Parents get 10 years in prison following daughter's death

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) - The parents of a 13-month-old girl who died from methadone exposure last year have been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

The Quad-City Times reports (http://bit.ly/1unTTm7 ) 26-year-old Precious L. Bailey, formerly of Bettendorf, and 25-year-old Spencer J. Smith, of Clinton, pleaded guilty to one count of child endangerment resulting in serious injury.

Following the guilty plea, prosecutors on Tuesday reduced the previous charge of child endangerment resulting in a death, punishable by up to 25 years in prison.

Medical records say the couple's daughter died Sept. 24, 2013 after consuming a small amount of methadone. Tests show the girl had also been exposed to methamphetamine.

John Steckel, Bailey's attorney, says his client is happy the plea was negotiated, but that the "tragedy" of the incident will stay with her forever.

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Information from: Quad-City Times, http://www.qctimes.com