|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
Updated: 08/25/2009 3:04 PM KSTP.com |
Woman Charged in Baby's Death to Undergo Psych Test
A judge ordered a psychological evaluation for a Lakeville woman accused of smothering her 6-week-old grandson while the two slept. Tina Louis Miller-Steiner, 45, made a brief court appearance Tuesday. She was charged with two counts of manslaughter for the May 9 death of Evan Michael Berney. Tuesday's court appearance was routine and lasted about five minutes. But her courthouse exit was not routine. As Miller-Steiner left the Dakota County Courthouse she turned to reporters and said, "Hi kids, did you miss me?" According to the criminal complaint, Miller-Steiner admitted mixing alcohol and medication while babysitting Berney on May 9. She told police she drank part of a glass of wine and two martinis and laid down in bed with Berney. Miller-Steiner's 12-year-old daughter woke her up when she noticed the baby was pale and not breathing. According to prosecutors, a lab test showed Miller-Steiner's blood alcohol level was .08 four hours after she called 911. At that level, people are considered too drunk to drive. The lab test also found a therapeutic dose of Prozac in her blood. The maximum penalty for each count against Miller-Steiner is ten years in prison and a $20,000 fine. She is due back in court in November. |
|
|
|
|
Print
Email
