Muncie Stepmom Found Guilty of Child Neglect in Death of 5-Year-Old

A Muncie woman was found guilty Thursday of child neglect in connection with the death of her five-year-old stepdaughter. Brittany McConniel faces 20 to 50 years in prison.

Five-year-old Lauren McConniel died at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis six days after being taken to the hospital in March 2010. She died as the result of brain damage and an unexplained ingestion of a lethal dose of salt. A forensic pediatrician also testified that Lauren's condition was the result of malnutrition over a period of time. Doctors said Lauren also had several bruises on her body.

"There is nothing this child could have done to deserve what was done to her," said Amber Higgins, Lauren's biological mother.

"I would have loved to make this into a murder case but there was no way we could prove Lauren ingested that salt on her own," Prosecutor Jeff Arnold said.

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• Lauren McConniel
• Brittany McConniel
• Ryan McConniel
• Robert E. Lee
• Child Neglect
• Salt Poisoning