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Stacey, you do have a valid point. Without seeing the actual write up or going back through the evidence in the trial, it really is hard to say one way or the other what the jury ruled on. Honestly, I do think that there is a good chance that her use of mixed perscription drugs played a big factor in the death of the infants. However, you do raise a good point that the prosectution may not have been able to prove that. I don't necessarily think an autopsy would be the only way to prove that it was a factor, and I do think use of prescription drugs while cosleeping is negligent (the charge she was convicted on). Without more evidence, though, you're right to say that we honestly don't know whether the conviction was based on that evidence or merely that she had two babies die cosleeping, which in an of itself should not be cause for a negligence charge. Regardless, I think it's reasonable to point out that she was NOT charged with murder. She was charged with child endangerment (which I personally do think is a fair charge for anyone under the influence cosleeping with an infant).
All that to say, I ALSO agree with the argument that cases like this pose a risk to increasing the limitations and choices of parents. As I mentioned before, my biggest fear with cases/reports like this one is that they tend to be read or construed as CO-SLEEPING is dangerous (not co-sleeping under the influence is dangerous). Again, I think that makes it important to look at how the jury came to the conviction.
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