Jan 23, 2020

Kansas mother pleads guilty in starvation, abuse of child

Posted Jan 23, 2020 1:00 AM
Francis photo Johnson Co.
Francis photo Johnson Co.

OLATHE, KAN. (AP) — A Shawnee woman has pleaded guilty to her role in the starvation of a 5-year-old boy.

Elizabeth Marie Francis, 28, pleaded guilty Tuesday to aggravated criminal sodomy and child abuse, the Johnson County District Attorney's office said.

She and her boyfriend, John Carter, 36, were charged after the child was taken to Children's Mercy Hospital in December 2018. Doctors reported he was bruised and malnourished from starvation, prosecutors said. The hospital staff said the boy had lost 10 pounds since he was taken to the hospital in September 2018. The child was taken into protective custody.

As part of the plea agreement, battery and endangerment charges were dismissed.

Carter has pleaded not guilty to charges of child abuse and endangerment. His case is pending in district court.

Francis will be sentenced March 9.