Judge Sentences Mother in Her Son’s Death

CASPER, WYO. --- A Casper woman has been sentenced to four years of supervised probation nearly a year after her 2-month-old boy suffered a breathing problem and died while sleeping in her bed.

The Casper Star-Tribune reports District Judge David Park sentenced 29-year-old Crystal Ann Cardenas on Wednesday for the Sept. 28 death of her son. Cardenas pleaded guilty in June to two counts of child endangerment involving methamphetamine. As part of a plea deal, a charge of criminally negligent homicide was dismissed.

Court records say Cardenas' boyfriend awoke and found the infant's head tucked underneath Cardenas' armpit. But Cardenas says the boy was about six inches away from her when he was discovered not breathing.

Authorities say tests revealed Cardenas and her boyfriend had marijuana and methamphetamine in their systems.