BOLIVAR, Mo. (AP) – A Missouri woman has pleaded guilty to letting her blind,
autistic son die in a southwestern Missouri field.
Kimberly Lightwine of Missouri’s Polk County pleaded guilty Wednesday to
involuntary manslaughter in the death of her 19-year-old son, Austin Anderson.
The Springfield News-Leader reports that the 43-year-old Lightwine will enter
a 120-day substance abuse program. If she successfully completes the program,
she will be released on five years’ probation. If not, she could spend seven
years in prison.
Anderson was found dead in a field in August 2016. He had a swollen brain from
dehydration and possibly went into shock without his medication.
Prosecutors say Lightwine was lying next to her dead son when deputies
arrived, and her leg and jaw were broken.
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