From Law & Crime · · 2m
Mom Placed Baby on Pink Pillow Near Drugs Before Infant Died
Ohio couple sentenced to prison after newborn died of cocaine toxicity in drug-laden home.
In brief
Ohio couple sentenced to prison after newborn died of cocaine toxicity in drug-laden home. Ohio couple Justin Soll and Shannon Wester received prison sentences for involuntary manslaughter after their 8-day-old daughter died of cocaine toxicity in a basement filled with drugs. Originally reported by Law & Crime.
Newborn Death
An Ohio couple is headed to prison for at least a decade after their newborn daughter died of cocaine toxicity.
Infant's Death Timeline
Cops responded around 4 a.m. on Feb 22 to a home in the 2900 block of Luverne Avenue in Oregon for a newborn not breathing.
Baby's Condition
First responders found the girl pale with vomit coming from her mouth.
Hospital Outcome
She was rushed to the hospital where she died three days later.
Drug Discovery
Cops found pacifiers and bottle nipples near bags of white powder.
Parents' Sentencing
Justin Soll will spend between 10 and 15 years behind bars after he pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.
Mother's Sentence
Shannon Wester was sentenced on Oct 30 to between 5 and 7 1/2 years in prison after she pleaded guilty to the same charges.
Baby's Care
Wester said she had fed the girl about two hours earlier before placing her on a pink pillow on the floor.
Father's Account
Soll said he woke up to find his daughter not breathing. He called 911 and started CPR until paramedics arrived.
Prosecutor's Statement
The prosecutor told the court the bedroom was riddled with numerous drug paraphernalia and cocaine.
Judge's Ruling
Judge Joe McNamara said Soll failed his daughter and Emilia never should have been in that basement.
Father's Letter
Soll said in a letter he was deeply sorry for his actions and struggled with drug addiction for years.
Father's Reflection
Soll wrote he should have sought help before she was born and failed to put her needs before his own.
Aftermath
Following his daughter's death, he and Wester went on 'benders that we hoped would kill us'.
The takeaway
Ohio couple Justin Soll and Shannon Wester received prison sentences for involuntary manslaughter after their 8-day-old daughter died of cocaine toxicity in a basement filled with drugs.