A plea deal has been reached in the case of Desiree Catlett, the woman charged in connection with the 2016 death of her infant son.
Catlett entered an Alford plea to reckless homicide, with a recommended five-year sentence, and the decision on potential probation to be in the hands of Judge John Atkins. An Alford plea means a defendant does not admit guilt, but acknowledges there could be enough evidence to convict.
Catlett had been charged with second-degree manslaughter and Commonwealth’s Attorney Rick Boling notes the maximum sentence of five years for reckless homicide is the same as the minimum sentence for the charge she was indicted on.
The case had gone to a jury previously in 2018 and resulted in a mistrial, with jurors unable to come to an agreement on a verdict. Boling says the Commonwealth didn’t make a recommendation either way on potential probation.
Catlett’s nine-month old son fell into a bathtub while being bathed at their Evergreen Park Drive home and emergency responders arrived to find the infant not breathing. The defense contended his death was a tragic accident, while the Commonwealth attributed the death to wanton neglect.
Final sentencing was set for October 30 and Catlett will remain out on bond in the meantime.