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Iowa woman pleads not guilty in baby’s death

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September 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Sioux City woman accused in the death of her infant son has pleaded not guilty to child neglect and child endangerment resulting in death. Rebekah Williams-McCarthy, 24, entered the pleas Friday in Woodbury County District Court, the Sioux City Journal reported. Williams-McCarthy was formally charged Sept. 12. The charges stem from the April 29 death of her 2-month-old son, Leonard Williams. She is also charged with two counts of neglect of a dependent person in connection with her two other children.

Woodbury County Attorney Patrick Jennings said an autopsy showed the baby died of malnutrition and dehydration. A bond review hearing for Williams-McCarthy has been set for 10 a.m. Monday.

Earlier court documents filed in the case say Williams-McCarthy failed to take the baby to doctor appointments and did not pick up vouchers for baby formula. The apartment in which she lived with her children was not safe for them, the documents said. Leonard’s father, Michael Williams, 26, has pleaded not guilty to neglect of a dependent person in connection to the death. He carried the baby into a hospital before the child was pronounced dead.

He is scheduled to stand trial Oct. 14.