Eagan Woman Charged With Death Of Grandson
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A 49-year-old Eagan woman faces a manslaughter charge after her infant grandson died while in her care in 2012.
Johanna Mercedes Limpert Beeler was charged Friday with second-degree manslaughter for the death of her two-month-old grandson, Brayden Michael Beeler, on July 7, 2012.
The criminal complaint says emergency crews responded to a call about an unconscious baby at Beeler's residence on the 3600 block of Denmark Avenue.
Brayden was not breathing when crews arrived, and resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.
Officers say Johanna Beeler appeared intoxicated and even feel asleep while being interviewed. She later told investigators she had consumed four vodka and cranberry drinks at an Applebee's restaurant the night before, and she used oxycodone and Vicodin for pain. She was taken to Regions Hospital for a suspected overdose.
She told officers two days later, while she was in the hospital's trauma unit, that she had stopped at a liquor store after leaving Applebee's on foot with Brayden in a stroller. She bought a bottle of vodka, poured its contents into two water bottles and then threw the liquor bottle away in a trash can near the store.
She then admitted to consuming more vodka between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m., and said Brayden was sleeping in bed the whole time. She then climbed into bed with her grandson and fell asleep.
When she awoke in the afternoon, Braydon was unresponsive. Her daughter, Braydon's mother, arrived soon after to find Beeler holding Braydon and crying. She tried to give him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation before calling 911.
Beeler's daughter told police she left Braydon with her mother at Applebee's after being invited to a party. She also said Beeler has a history of alcohol abuse and mental health problems.
The medical examiner said Braydon may have died of suffocation from Beeler rolling on top of him while she slept.
Beeler could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.