Stoddard County woman accused of starving infant daughter pleads guilty

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A Dexter mother charged with neglecting her infant daughter entered a guilty plea in court Wednesday afternoon.

Amanda Knight Garrett, 20 of Dexter, pleaded guilty to felony endangering the welfare of the child.

Stoddard Prosecuting Attorney Russell Oliver said Wednesday that no deal was made in regard to sentence and she will have a sentencing hearing on Feb. 16.

Both Garrett and the baby's father, Vabian Webb, were arrested June 3 on Stoddard County warrants for endangering the welfare of a child and felony child abuse.

The couple is accused of neglecting their 3-month-old infant daughter by not feeding her or caring for her properly. The child reportedly has been diagnosed as having Down syndrome.

According to the probable cause affidavit filed in Stoddard County court at the time of the arrest, Lt. Charles Sanders with the Dexter Police Department states he "could see the infant's ribs and collarbone as well as the infant's skin was loose and sagging on her arms and legs."

Officials report that the child is thriving under state care.

Webb still faces the original charges and had no court date scheduled as of Thursday morning.