Mo. woman enters plea in death of 2-year-old

HILLSBORO, Mo. (AP) -- An eastern Missouri woman originally charged with murder in the death of a 2-year-old pleads guilty to a lesser charge.

Melissa Minehart of Bonne Terre pleaded guilty late Monday to involuntary manslaughter and abuse of a child in the February 2005 death of Codi Aston. Authorities say the child was repeatedly abused while in the care of her father, whom Minehart was dating at the time.

The child's father, Brian Aston of Montgomery City, pleaded guilty in April to charges of child endangerment. He is awaiting sentencing.

Investigators say Minehart was responsible for the abuse which led to the child's death, but Aston should have known what was happening due to the numerous bruises on the girl's body.

Minehart will be sentenced in April.

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Information from: Dave Keiser/KSDK-TV, http://www.ksdk.com