Drunk Mom Killed Her Baby

(St. Charles County, Missouri) In September 2006, 33-year-old Sherri Lohnstein gave birth to a baby girl, Zreanna, who didn't live for a day.

According to the St. Charles prosecutor, Zreanna died from asphyxiation due to acute intoxication (0.17 percent blood alcohol level), secondary to the mother's intoxication.

In December 2006, Lohnstein was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Court documents say Lohnstein had a blood alcohol of .18 when she gave birth, and "consumed alcohol after delivery while recovering in the hospital."

Investigators say she told police "I was drinking and she died. I don't know why but I should not have drank."

Her neighbors had hoped for a happier ending to what has always seemed to have been a very sad story.

Lohnstein's doctor apparently told her about the dangers her baby faced if she drank while pregnant.

She was arrested Wednesday night in Joliet, IL on a charge of involuntary manslaughter, but she was taken to the hospital because police say she was intoxicated.

Neighbors say she had at least one other child.

Today, Lohnstein, now 34, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.

Circuit Judge Nancy Schneider followed the terms of a plea agreement in sentencing Lohnstein to complete a state substance abuse treatment program by the end of 120 days beginning in February.

If Lohnstein completes that treatment, Schneider then could put her on probation and require her to complete a local drug court program. If not, Schneider could sentence her to seven years in prison.

Your guess is as good as mine with regard to whether Lohnstein gets jail or not. However, there should be no dispute regarding the extent of her problems with alcohol.

Notably, the Lohnstein case came elbow-close to being in conflict with an existing Missouri Appeals Court ruling that imposed a prohibition on prosecuting mothers for conduct which indirectly harms the fetus. As part of Lohnstein's plea agreement, she waived her right to appeal.

Tip: greggmkay