http://www.argusleader.com/news/Saturdayarticle6.shtml

Distracted Iowa mom charged in baby's death

By EMILY GERSEMA Associated Press

published: 7/21/01

PERRY, Iowa -- A woman who said she forgot her 7-month-old daughter in the family minivan has been charged with neglect and involuntary manslaughter, the Dallas County Attorney said Friday.

The neglect charge is a felony, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, and the manslaughter charge is an aggravated misdemeanor, which carries a maximum of two years.

Kari Engholm, 34, of Perry already had entered a not guilty plea after turning herself in to police, said Dallas County Attorney Wayne Reisetter. She was released on her own recognizance until her Nov. 27 trial.

"No one can never ever know the loss and despair I feel," she said in a news conference Friday. "I miss my daughter, Clare, so much and I love her so much."

"We all miss her so much, but we know she's in heaven with God," Engholm said, sobbing. She made no mention of her role in her daughter's death.

"I've just been relying on my faith to get me through this," she said.

Engholm, administrator at Dallas County Hospital, had said she forgot the child in the minivan when she went to work June 26. She discovered the body at the end of the day.

It was a sunny day with a high of nearly 90 degrees in the town northwest of Des Moines. Officials said it was much hotter inside the vehicle. An autopsy determined the baby died of hyperthermia, or overheating.

That morning, Engholm had dropped off her son, Eric, at a day-care center 10 blocks from the hospital. Dennis Engholm said his wife had become distracted because the child-care schedule had changed.

"We are disappointed and saddened because what occurred was a tragic accident," Dennis Engholm said. "Our family continues to grieve."

ARGUS LEADER

-- Anonymous, July 21, 2001

Answers

"Engholm, administrator at Dallas County Hospital, had said she forgot the child in the minivan when she went to work June 26. She discovered the body at the end of the day."

A person may forget some things but, your baby in your van ALL DAY.

-- Anonymous, July 22, 2001

When I posted the original story, my question was why didn't she notice the baby when she dropped off the little boy?

-- Anonymous, July 22, 2001