NORTH STRABANE TOWNSHIP, Pa.,None — A Washington County woman has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment in the death of her 9-week-old daughter, allegedly at the hands of the woman's former live-in boyfriend, who will stand trial instead.
Heather Saffel, 27, of North Franklin Township, pleaded guilty Tuesday to a deal in which she'll be sentenced to 3 1/2 to seven years in prison next month.
Washington County prosecutors said Saffel didn't harm the child but didn't seek care for the injuries allegedly inflicted by Harry Bowman, 42, who faces jury selection Wednesday for his trial.
Authorities said Bowman somehow caused brain damage to the baby while Saffel went out for cigarettes and to buy drugs on March 4, 2009.
Bowman has pleaded not guilty to third-degree murder and other charges.
heather saffel
Kloe was 9 weeks old when she was found unresponsive in the family's home. She was taken to Washington Hospital, but was pronounced dead an hour later.
An autopsy showed the baby died of trauma and a brain hemorrhage. She also had first- and second-degree burns on both of her thighs.
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