FAIRBANKS — Charges for a North Pole woman accused of killing her 18-month-old son could be reduced in light of new forensic evidence.
The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports that 26-year-old Amberlynn Swanson had initially been charged with murder in the 2013 death of Julian Swanson-Byrd. But she pleaded guilty to a charge of criminally negligent homicide in a deal reached with prosecutors Thursday.
The judge delayed approving the plea agreement because an attorney for Swanson wasn't present at the hearing.
The new evidence includes forensic studies that cleared Swanson's propane torch and ring as possible murder weapons.
Assistant District Attorney Andrew Baldock says key details about the child's death remain unanswered, but that there's still enough evidence Swanson was criminally negligent in failing to get her son medical attention.