Mother Surrenders in Meth Death of Breast-Fed Baby

A mother wanted for trial in the methamphetamine death of her breast-feeding baby has surrendered to face charges of involuntary manslaughter and child cruelty, authorities said.

Cynthia Ann Pinson, 38, had been missing since mid-November, when an arrest warrant was issued. Robert Henry Sage, 6 months old, was found dead in his crib in October 1996, and tests later determined that he died of a methamphetamine overdose.

Pinson turned herself in and pleaded innocent at a Jan. 23 hearing. The judge found there was enough evidence for trial, said Detective Mike Harper.

Several recent prosecutions have alleged drugs in mothers’ milk caused their babies’ death. A Tucson, Ariz., woman was charged last August with first-degree murder for allegedly killing her daughter through heroin use.

In 1994, a Bakersfield woman was acquitted of murder but convicted of child endangerment after her 2-month-old son died from methamphetamine-poisoned breast milk.