Updated: 11/02/2009 4:29 PM KSTP.com | Print |  Email

Grandmother Pleads Guilty in Death of Grandson

LAKEVILLE, Minn. (AP) - Prosecutors say a 46-year-old Lakeville woman has pleaded guilty to one charge of second-degree manslaughter in the death of her 6-week-old grandson in May.

Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom says Tina Miller-Steiner was sentenced Monday to 45 days in jail and 10 years probation. A four-year prison sentence was stayed.

She must also pay restitution. It's a downward departure from the state sentencing guidelines, but was agreed to by all the parties.

Miller-Steiner has said she drank two martinis and took some prescription medicine while baby-sitting her grandson May 9. Prosecutors alleged she fell asleep on top of the child and killed him.

Backstrom says in a news release that he hopes she gets the help she needs for her chemical dependency issues.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)