Court hears opening statements, prosecutors call first witnesses during Day 2 of Boone County baby death trial
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Prosecutors and the defense laid out their arguments during the second day of a Boone County baby death trial on Wednesday.
The trial for Sarah D. Brown began Monday morning at the Boone County Courthouse. Brown is charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of Ayla Gibson.
Brown allegedly put Gibson--who was 3-months-old at the time-- in a crib at her daycare in north Columbia with a loose, unfitted blanket and pillow in a position that resulted in death by suffocation, court documents say. Documents also claim the baby had a viral lung infection and Brown ignored parent instructions to have her sleep on her back.
Boone County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Buchanan began opening statements Wednesday morning. Buchanan told jurors Gibson was a happy and healthy baby, and that they should expect to hear from doctors and witnesses that can testify to that. Buchanan also noted Gibson was dealing with congestion before her death and was seen by doctors for that, but was not in distress based on the opinions from medical experts.
Buchanan also told jurors that Gibson died on the fourth day of being in Brown's care after being placed in the back room in an unsafe position with a loose comforter and full body pillow behind her, resulting in her death.
"Ayla died way before any resuscitation efforts were attempted. She had died and been left unattended in a reckless environment due to Ms. Brown's conduct," Buchanan said. "She failed her duty that she owed to Ayla Gibson and because of that, Ayla Gibson suffocated."
Brown's attorney, Richard Hicks gave opening statements shortly after Buchanan. He told jurors that while what happened was a tragedy, that does not mean that a crime was committed. Hicks asked jurors to think about what Brown knew prior to putting Gibson down for a nap on the day of her death.
Hicks also spoke about how recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics have evolved over the years, and told jurors that not following recommendations does not equal recklessness. He also said that Gibson's parents did not disclose the full extent of her medical conditions to Brown.
"This case isn't about whether Ayla died tragically. This case is about whether Ayla was vulnerable, about whether she had a viral pneumonia with other viruses, whether she exhibiting signs that indicated that she had this breathing disorder that was maybe irritating other things," Hicks said.
Gibson's grandmother and a doctor also testified Wednesday morning.
Brown is also accused of lying to police and saying she found the baby not breathing while lying on her back in the crib. Court documents also claim that Brown was running an unlicensed daycare and did not qualify for any exemptions.
Missouri law requires that anyone caring for more than six children be licensed. Brown allegedly had 12 children in her care.
The trial is expected to last four days.
Brown faces three-to-10 years in prison, if found guilty.
Check back for updates.
