Evansville woman sentenced to 30 years for death of infant

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT) – An Evansville mom convicted in the death of her two-week old child was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Monday.

Taylor Smith was convicted of neglect of a dependent resulting in death as well as possession of meth and other drug related charges. Authorities say Smith reported her child was unresponsive in June of 2022 after she went to sleep with the infant. Smith had previously been ordered by DCS to not be around the child due to a prior investigation.

Before she was sentenced, an emotional Smith made a statement to the court stating that the child’s death was an accident, and she lives with that every day.

The judge explained that it was a sad case all around with no winners, but with Smith violating a child protective order among other factors, the sentence of a level one felony was warranted.

The judge said the sentence is to be carried out at the Indiana Department of Corrections where Smith will receive treatment for substance abuse. Smith said she plans to appeal the sentence.

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