Local News in Brief : Mother Is Sentenced to 3 Years’ Probation in Drowning of Infant

An Arleta woman who pleaded no contest to felony child endangerment in the drowning of her 18-month-old daughter was sentenced Friday in Van Nuys Superior Court to three years’ probation.

Laura Marie Andrews, 22, said she had entrusted the care of her daughter, Rejel Treyon Cook, and her 8-month old infant to her 4-year-old son while she went to a nearby fast-foot restaurant about 8:30 p.m. June 8. She returned 15 minutes later to find the 18-month-old girl floating face down in the bathtub, according to a probation report prepared for the sentencing.

Andrews tried to revive the child with cardiopulmonary resuscitation and then called paramedics, the report said. The child died at the hospital.

An autopsy determined that the child drowned accidentally.

Andrews pleaded no contest Sept. 1 and could have received a maximum sentence of six years, but was sentenced to probation by Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Richard A. Adler because of her lack of a criminal record, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Robert McIntosh.

Andrews is attending parenting classes and receiving psychological counseling, McIntosh said.

Andrews is a “single mother without support who tried to take care of the home and children and is not competent at all times to do so,” McIntosh said. “It’s a tragedy all around.”

After the accident, Andrews’ other children were removed from her home and placed in the custody of the state Social Services Department.