A woman whose 11-month-old son was found with intentional burns, septic shock and other medical issues has entered a plea under the Alford Rule on charges of child abuse and neglect.
Brittany Paige Sloan, 27, was scheduled to go to trial on Monday in Scott County Court. She opted instead for the Alford Rule, which does not admit guilt but concedes evidence in the case may lead to a guilty verdict.
"In regards to pleading Alford, it helps her to avoid a jury sentencing," said Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Dan Fellhauer. "Now she will be sentenced by a judge who has to consider state guidelines. We were prepared to take it to a jury."
Sloan and her boyfriend, Robert Bradley Scott, 37, were
arrested in August of last year. According to Dan Fellhauer, personnel at Indian Path Medical Center notified Scott County Social Services of a toddler being treated for non-accidental injuries.
When social workers arrived, they reportedly found the victim with first- and second-degree burns to his legs and other body parts. Fellhauer says Sloan initially stated that the injuries were a sunburn, then tried to claim they were the result of chemical carpet burns. Ultimately, investigators determined they were intentional contact burns from some type of heating element.
Prosecutors say that Scott was responsible for burning the baby at the couple’s residence, while Sloan was aware of the abuse but did nothing to protect her son. She is scheduled to be sentenced in June.
Meanwhile, Scott is charged separately in the case with child abuse and neglect, malicious wounding and child cruelty. He is currently incarcerated without bond with a trial date yet to be set.