June 25, 2025
State | Sauk Valley News


News

Illinois woman admits role in newborn baby's death

MURPHYSBORO (AP) — A southern Illinois woman faces up to five years in prison now that she's admitted her role in the death of her newborn baby in a bathroom at a house party.

Twenty-six-year-old Casey Parnell of Du Quoin pleaded guilty Tuesday in Jackson County to a charge of involuntary manslaughter.

Prosecutors say Parnell admits giving birth to the baby she believed was dead in a toilet while at a January 2011 party in Carbondale.

A pathologist said Parnell didn't attempt life-saving measures or seek medical treatment, and that the baby died of a lack of oxygen.

Parnell was indicted in December.

She remains jailed in Murphysboro and is scheduled to be sentenced May 23.