Mother being tried in death of son faces new charges

PITTSBURGH — The mother charged in the July 2012 death of her 2-year-old son is now facing wiretap charges.

Sharon Flanagan is being tried on homicide charges in the death of her son, who died after nearly drowning in a Greentree hotel bath tub in July.

Flanagan appeared in court Monday to have a new attorney appointed.

After her current attorney was dismissed, a CD containing a conversation recorded by Flanagan was submitted as new evidence.

The conversation, according to the District Attorney’s Office, was a six-hour police questioning of Flanagan following the death of her son. The questioning was recorded by Flanagan through the use of an Olympus dictating machine.

Flanagan’s former counsel never heard the recording and was unable to comment on its contents.

Flanagan is now facing four counts of wiretap fraud in addition to the homicide charge.

Flanagan has been given 10 days to receive a new mental evaluation and submit a new plea in light of the new charges and change of counsel.

She faces a separate hearing on the wiretap charges on May 30.

Flanagan is being held on $50,000 bond in the Allegheny County Jail.

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