"Newborn John" SYTEK - 3 Days - North Platte NB

http://www.nptelegraph.com/articles/2012/01/04/news/40004402.txt

A North Platte woman arrested Jan. 1 after the death of her infant could face up to life in prison for neglecting to seek medical attention for the premature baby.

Christine Sytek, 28, of North Platte, was arrested and charged with intentional child abuse that resulted in death, a class 1B felony, after an incident early Sunday near 318 West Eight Street.

In a brief statement released Tuesday, NPPD Information Officer Troy Erickson said Sytek waived down a passerby near the corner of Eighth and Willow and asked for that person's assistance in calling 911, because her baby was not breathing. Records released by the North Platte Fire Department show that an ambulance crew was summoned to the 300 block of West Eighth at 1:06 a.m. on Jan. 1, for an emergency involving a three-day-old male.
Emergency services transported Sytek's child to Great Plains Regional Medical Center, where the infant was pronounced dead. Police officers then arrested Sytek.
Deputy County Attorney Tanya Roberts-Connick told the Telegraph that Sytek had given birth to the infant at home, and the baby was born premature. Sytek did not seek immediate medical attention for the premature child, resulting in the infant's death. The county attorney's office deemed that to be a neglectful act, and charges were filed against Sytek. She could face 20 years to life in prison, if convicted.
Sytek remains in the custody of the Lincoln County Detention Center and bond was set at $100,000 cash only at a preliminary hearing with Lincoln County Judge Michael Piccolo on Tuesday.
According to the release, an autopsy has been performed and the department is waiting for the results. The investigation is ongoing.

Woman freed from child abuse charge

by Dillon Daigger (The North Platte Bulletin) - 1/26/2012


Photo by Dillon Daigger

A woman who was arrested and jailed on New Year’s Day after her baby was found dead was freed Thursday after 26 days behind bars.

Christine Sytek, 44, pleaded no contest in court to negligent child abuse, a misdemeanor. She walked out of jail about an hour later.

In the first hour of the New Year, Sytek ran into the street near 8th and Willow, stopped a motorist and asked for help with her newborn baby.

The baby, a three-pound boy, was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Sytek was put in jail before sunup, charged with a felony -- intentional child abuse that resulted in death.

If convicted, she could have been behind bars for life.

Sytek was set to appear this week for a preliminary hearing, but defense attorney Blaine Gillett told the court Thursday that attorneys had reached a plea agreement.

Prosecutor Todd Engleman told the court that an autopsy showed the baby died from natural complications of a premature birth. No drugs were involved, but Sytek was negligent for not immediately seeking medical treatment, he said.

The baby was three days old, according to the rescue crew.

Engleman told the court he wasn’t opposed to a jail sentence, without any other conditions attached.

“She likely wouldn’t comply with probation,” he said.

Even though Sytek faced a much shorter sentence than originally expected, she hesitated to enter her plea.

When Lincoln County Judge Mike Piccolo asked her if she was agreeable to the reduced charge, she told the court she felt like she didn’t have a choice.

She then talked quietly with Gillett for a couple minutes, and pleaded “no contest” to the lesser charge.

“Has anyone threatened or coerced you to enter your plea?” Piccolo asked Sytek.

“No, unless I don’t get out,” she replied without further explanation.

Piccolo asked if she had anything to say before he announced the sentence.

Sytek paused for a few seconds, leaned back in her chair, took a deep breath and asked, “Would it make a difference?”

The question went unanswered. Gillett gestured and whispered to her. She fidgeted and contemplated a few seconds, but said nothing more.

Piccolo sentenced her to 26 days in jail, the exact amount of time she’s served, and announced she would receive full credit for time served. Sytek returned to the county jail and was processed out at 2:26 p.m.

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