"Baby" GOODMAN - 4 Months (2010) - Chester WV

CHESTER -- A four month old baby is dead and tonight his mother is
behind bars charged with child neglect resulting in death. Hancock
County Sheriff Mike White says authorities were called to 500 Fairview
Road in Chester to respond to a baby's death on February first. White says an autopsy was done and a ruling from the medical examiner was death due to severe neglect. Friday, the baby's mom, Amanda Goodman of 500 Fairview Road, Chester, was charged with child neglect. The sheriff says the baby's body was found in some of the most deplorable conditions he has ever seen. Two other children who were living at the home have been removed and placed with child protective services Sheriff White says he has filed a complaint with Hancock County's abandoned buildings to have something done with the home. Goodman is in the Northern Regional Jail.

Mom Pleads Guilty In Child’s Death
Goodman admits to neglect of 4-month-old

March 26, 2011
By IAN HICKS Staff Writer


NEW CUMBERLAND - Amanda Goodman will serve three to 15 years in prison - and could be barred from caring for any child for up to 24 years - following her conviction Friday on a fatal child neglect charge.

Goodman, a 33-year-old Chester resident, pleaded guilty to child neglect resulting in the death of her 4-month-old son, Brandon Burchett, more than a year ago. The hearing took place in Hancock County Circuit Court before Judge Martin Gaughan.

In accordance with the plea agreement, Goodman will receive credit for 365 days spent behind bars since her Feb. 19, 2010, arrest. She was released on house arrest for about a month but violated the terms of her bond and went back to jail Jan. 20.

By state law, Goodman within 72 hours of her release would have to register with the state's child abuse and neglect registry and remain registered for 10 years. During that period, she would not be permitted to care for any children, including her own.

If she serves the maximum sentence, Goodman would turn 57 years old before she legally could care for a child.

During the hearing, Gaughan pointed out a paragraph in the plea agreement that states the prosecution considered seeking a conviction for murder of a child by failure to supply necessities - a charge that carries a penalty of life in prison.

Gaughan asked Goodman if that was the reason she chose to accept the plea deal.

"That's part of it, yeah," she replied.

Goodman declined to address the court prior to her sentencing. She was taken to the Northern Correctional Facility in Moundsville immediately after the hearing.

Brandon Burchett was pronounced dead Feb. 1, 2010, at East Liverpool City Hospital after the child's father, 28-year-old Kristopher Burchett, called 911 and reported the child was not breathing. Court documents indicated that call came a full two hours after Goodman found Brandon in that condition.

Investigators, led by Hancock County sheriff's Deputy Matthew Harvey, found the 500 Fairview Road home in Chester where the child lived uninhabitable, with trash and dirty diapers covering the floor. Autopsy results revealed no food in the child's system and the coroner estimated his diaper hadn't been changed in at least two days.

Kristopher Burchett was sentenced to three to 15 years after pleading no contest in February to child neglect resulting in death. His father, Kenneth Burchett, owns the home where the child lived and is serving three years probation after pleading guilty to the same charge.

Hancock County Assistant Prosecutor David F. Cross represented the state in the case. Goodman was represented by Gerald Jacovetty.

http://theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/553421/Mom-Pleads-Guilty-In-Child-s-Dea---.html