Lufkin Mom Found Guilty of Child Endangerment

ANGELINA COUNTY — An Angelina County jury handed down a guilty verdict against a 33-year-old woman in connection with the July 2010 death of her 4-month-old son. Vanessa Clark now faces up to two years in state jail on the child endangerment charge of which she was found guilty. Clark and her husband were sharing a bed with the infant when he stopped breathing, making him the second baby to die while sleeping in the couple’s bed.

According to the Lufkin Daily News, in 2009 the Clark’s had a 1-month-old son who died the same way. At that time, Child Protective Services workers warned them about the dangers of co-sleeping, as babies can be accidentally suffocated by their parents, bedding or even pillows. Following a CPS investigation, the couple’s 3-year-old son was returned to their custody. At the time of the July 2010 death, a blood test showed Clark had elevated levels of Xanax and hydrocodone. The drugs were prescribed by a doctor, according to her attorney, John Reeves.

Sentencing will take place in four to six weeks after a pre-sentencing investigation. Her sentence will range from probation to two years in state jail.