Sheldon, Iowa — The mother of a 5-month old girl who died after allegedly being injured while under her father’s care during the summer of 2020, has been sentenced in connection with the incident.According to online court records, 22-year-old Brittanee Baker of Sheldon pled guilty to one count of Child Endangerment with Bodily Injury in a negotiated plea deal, with a second identical count being dismissed. This past Thursday, February 3rd, the judge in the case sentenced Baker to 5-years in prison and a $1,025 fine, both of which were suspended. Baker will now serve a term of 2-years’ probation, according to online court records. Baker had initially pled not guilty to the charges against her.
The baby’s father, 21-year old Larry Ruotolo, received a 5-year prison sentence in a negotiated plea deal back in September for a single charge Child Abuse with Bodily Injury. A second identical charge was dismissed as part of the plea bargain.
A third person, 50-year-old Stacie Hurlburt of Sheldon, is charged with being an Accessory After the Fact. Prosecutors accuse Hurlburt of attempting to help Baker and Ruotolo come up with a cover story about how the baby suffered the injuries that claimed her life. Hurlburt has pled Not Guilty to the charge, and according to online court records, has waived her right to a jury trial. No trial date has been set.
