West Virginia (WOAY) Braxton County parents have plead guilty in connection with the death of their four-month-old child.
On Tuesday, Angel Talbert and James Joseph Smith entered guilty pleas to voluntary manslaughter in the death of their infant in November of 2024.
Prosecutors say the child’s body was sent to the state Medical Examiner for an autopsy, which initially showed a .330 blood alcohol content in liver tissue.
Investigators say the couple admitted to giving the baby alcohol, claiming they only rubbed it on her gums because she was fussy.
But during the case, the prosecutor says issues were discovered with how the Medical Examiner’s Office handled toxicology samples.
A urine sample had been left refrigerated for an extended time before being frozen and tested months later, ultimately showing no alcohol metabolites.
Because of the uncertainty surrounding the toxicology results, the state offered a plea deal to voluntary manslaughter, a lesser charge than murder.
The judge accepted the plea, citing the circumstances and problems with the handling of evidence.
Talbert and Smith are scheduled to be sentenced on April 27, and each faces up to 15 years in prison.
