Kansas woman charged in baby’s death faces new charges
OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A 28-year-old Johnson County woman charged in the death of her baby in a house fire is now facing charges of intimidating a witness. Karlie Mae Phelps, of Shawnee, was charged Thursday with violating a protective order and intimidation of a witness, both misdemeanors. The Kansas City Star reports Phelps’ attorney entered a not guilty plea for her during a court hearing on Friday. Phelps was charged in February with involuntary manslaughter and endangering a child after her son died in a fire at her home. The child’s father, Nicholas Adam Ecker, is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated arson in the boy’s death.