The woman accused of neglecting her 18-month-old daughter, which led to the child's death, in late 2011 will plead guilty Monday.
In November 2011, police charged Kristen Hernandez, 23, with two counts of a neglect of a dependent person, a Class C felony, and two counts of child endangerment, an aggravated misdemeanor. Hernandez left her daughter, Destiny Hernandez, and her then 3-year-old son unattended for several hours.
Marshalltown Medical & Surgical Center called police, along with Department of Human Services, following the child's death in August 2011.
Article Photos
Hernandez
An investigation ensued. Police also charged Hernandez's mother, Ruth Sharer, 39, with whom the children and Hernandez lived, with endangering the toddlers' safety.
Sharer faces two counts of child endangerment. Her trial is set for July 19.
Hernandez's trial was to take place Tuesday, but Judge James Ellefson granted a motion by Hernandez's attorney, Aaron Siebrecht, a court-appointed public defender, June 14 for a change of plea, according to court documents.
Hernandez missed her first scheduled court appearance because she was giving birth to her third child. The court issued a no-contact order for Hernandez on her son after she made her initial appearance in December 2011.
After performing an autopsy on the child, medical examiners were still unable to determine a cause of death, Capt. Chris Jones, of the Marshalltown Police Department, said.
Ben Stansberry, the attorney handling the case for the Marshall County Attorney's Office, said the details of Hernandez's plea will not be released until after her hearing Monday.