LEBANON, Mo. (AP) — Two women charged in separate child deaths in Laclede County both pleaded not guilty to charges at arraignments on Monday.
Naomi Johnson pleaded not guilty to second-degree involuntary manslaughter in the June 3, 2020 death of 1-year-old Kimber McDowell at Johnson’s unlicensed daycare in Lebanon.
Investigators said previously that Johnson had swaddled the child and left her on a bed.
A disposition hearing is set for April 4.
In the second case, Angela Coleman, of Lebanon, pleaded not guilty to first-degree child endangerment in the Aug. 29, 2021, death of 3-year-old Mason Sadler. The toddler drowned in a pond while Coleman was supposed to be watching him.
A judge on Monday granted a request from Coleman’s attorney to transfer the case to Camden County.
