Background: Beatrice Community Hospital in Beatrice, Neb. (Google Maps). Inset (top): Ashlen Zitel (Gage County Sheriff’s Office). Inset (bottom): Austin Meyn (Gage County Sheriff’s Office).
A woman from Nebraska received a probation sentence for the tragic death of her 4-month-old baby boy, who suffocated after her boyfriend reportedly made him sleep facing downwards.
Ashlen Zitel, 28, entered a guilty plea in December 2024, months after the Aug. 15, 2024, death of her baby boy.
The woman, identified as Zitel, was away at work while her boyfriend, 27-year-old Austin Meyn, was caring for both her children, as detailed in court records obtained by KOLN, a local CBS affiliate. Meyn, feeling frustrated with the baby’s crying, allegedly swaddled the infant in blankets and placed him on his stomach on a mattress in an attempt to make him fall asleep, based on the information from the documents. In a text message, Zitel informed Meyn that he did not need to lay the baby on his back.
“Ashlen Zitel does not appear to question the methods that Meyn is using, including being aware that the baby’s oxygen levels are intentional being reduced as he is face down and unable to roll over on his own,” the affidavit said, according to KOLN.
Meyn later called Zitel to tell her that the baby was unresponsive, police say. When Zitel returned and found the baby on his back, she attempted CPR. When that failed, paramedics were called, and they transported the baby to Beatrice Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Police noted in the court documents that the baby had bruising on his face and head. An autopsy on the little boy found that he had sustained several injuries, including hemorrhaging on multiple locations on his head and broken ribs. The autopsy report showed symptoms that were reportedly consistent with shaken baby syndrome.
Zitel was sentenced to six years probation and ordered to serve 120 days in jail, to be served 30 days at a time between 2027 and 2030. The court might waive her confinement, KOLN reported. Her sentence was also related to charges from a separate sexual assault case.
Meyn was also charged with child abuse resulting in death. He pleaded not guilty during his latest court appearance. Meyn remains in custody and is awaiting his next court date on May 6.
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