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Mom facing endangerment charges in death of 4-year-old son

A mother was charged Thursday in connection with the death of her 4-year-old son in Butler County.

MacKenzie Peters was charged with felony child endangerment in connection with Bentley Miller’s death.

According to a criminal complaint obtained by Channel 11 News, Bentley suffered abuse several days before he died. Police found a burn mark on the boy's hand, which police believe was from an iron. Investigators said Peters knew about the burn, but did not seek medical treatment.

Peters' boyfriend, Jordan Lambing, is charged with criminal homicide and aggravated indecent assault in connection with the boy's death. Lambing’s mother, Kristen Lee Herold, faces charges of child endangerment.

Jordan Lambing and Kristen Lee Herold are facing charges in connection with the death of Bentley Miller.

The district attorney said he has no proof that Peters abused the child, but is not ruling out that she knew about past physical injuries. Police said she knew about a severe burn on her son's hand that was four-to-six days old and which the district attorney said was never treated.

The complaint also said investigators found drug paraphernalia in the motel room where Peters, Lambing, Miller and Peters' 4-month-old child had been staying.

Peters' defense attorney, Joseph Keckemethy, would not comment on the allegations that his client knew about prior abuse, saying it's in the early stages of the case and integral to the charges Peters is facing.

"The idea that MacKenzie could have or should have known that anything like this would happen to her child doesn't make any sense," Keckemethy said.

Peters showed no emotion as her father and attorney escorted her out of court Thursday. Peters, who turned herself in to authorities, was told to report to adult probation rather than being placed in jail. A judge also ordered her to get treatment for drugs and alcohol.

Her attorney said she is cooperating with police and officials don't believe she's a flight risk.

"My client is a good person who is grieving mightily," Keckemethy said.

Bentley Miller, 4, died on March 21.

Police said Herold was taking the child to his father's house -- not to a hospital, as initially reported -- when the boy stopped breathing.

Herold pulled into the parking lot of a credit union on Hanson Avenue and called 911, stating the boy was bleeding and unresponsive. Police said that when the boy was taken by ambulance, Herold allegedly went back to the motel to alert her son and to help him escape.

Herold's defense attorney, Al Lindsay, said, "Whatever happened to (Bentley), whatever the cause, (Herold) did not do this. She loves this little guy. She's devastated."

Police said they found Herold and Lambing hiding in an attic at a Walker Avenue home in Butler last Wednesday.

"It's unthinkable what happened to this little boy," District Attorney Richard Goldinger said Monday. "We're just going to try to get justice for him and his family."

Stay with Channel 11 News and WPXI.com for continuing coverage.