Beatrice woman reaches plea deal in child death
Pleas made in exchange for cooperation with the state in the prosecution of a co-defendant
By News Channel NebraskaBEATRICE – A Beatrice woman has reached a plea deal with prosecutors in the death of her young child, in exchange for cooperation against another defendant charged.
28-year-old Ashlen Zitel has pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of negligent child abuse, while a more serious charge of intentional child abuse resulting in death, has been dismissed.
The plea deal was entered in Gage County District Court. The state agreed to not re-file charges if Zitel cooperates in the cases against Austin Meyn. He is charged with intentional child abuse resulting in death, and in a separate case…first-degree sexual assault of a child and intentional child abuse.
In Zitel’s cases, there was no sentencing recomendation made. Her sentencing has been scheduled for March 5th in Gage County District Court.
The plea agreement requires her to have no contact with anyone under the age of 18 without prior court approval…with one exception. GPS monitoring and residency reporting requirements are also part of the agreement. Zitel also agreed to admit to allegations contained in a juvenile petition in Gage County Court.
Zitel was released on a personal recognizance bond.