Woman sentenced 17 years in toddler drowning death

ROLLA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A woman who was accused in the drowning death of a toddler in April pleaded guilty on Thursday and was sentenced to 17 years in prison.

Emily Buell, 33, pleaded guilty to first-degree endangering the welfare of a child. She was initially charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter, first-degree endangering the welfare of a child and abused or neglect of a child resulting in death.

According to court documents, she was babysitting children while she was drunk. She allegedly sent children downstairs at a residence -- in the 11000 block of Cedar Grove Lane – while she went upstairs to drink alcohol with other adults and “engage in other activities,” according to previous reporting.

A 2-year-old boy was able to leave the residence through an unsecured door that led to a deck and a covered swimming pool. The toddler fell into the pool – which had at least 12 inches of water – and drowned, according to the probable cause statement.