Parents Receive 20-Year Sentence In Infant’s Death
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COFFEEVILLE – The parents of a 10-week old baby who died from a lethal amount of methamphetamine in his system were sentenced to 20 years in a plea agreement in circuit court in Coffeeville last Wednesday.
Brittany Nicohl Young and Charlie Thomas Gant, III, both of Oakland, were indicted last June in the Nov. 1, 2018, death of Charlie Brittan Gant after the toxicology report from the State Medical Examiner showed methamphetamine in the infant’s system.
Gant faced a three-count indictment for capital murder, child abuse and child endangerment. The charges were reduced to a single count, child endangerment, in the negotiated plea agreement. Young also faced a three-count indictment, charges that included manslaughter, child abuse and child endangerment. Her plea was for the manslaughter charge.
Circuit Judge Smith Murphey, V, sentenced both defendants to 20 years incarceration, plus $1,000 fines and court costs.
“I think it was a good resolution, a long sentence that holds both of them accountable,” Assistant District Attorney Steve Jubera told the Herald after court. “Hopefully this will serve as a reminder that methamphetamine is dangerous, and there are consequences not only to the people who use them, but also for the people around them.
Jubera and the Yalobusha County Coroner reported that the 19-month delay between the death of the infant and the indictments stemmed from the backlog at the under-staffed crime lab. The ADA also noted that the longer waits can impede investigations.
“Ronnie Stark really stepped up to the plate on this case; he did a good job coordinating documents getting to my office that ultimately led to the prosecution,” Jubera added. “In this particular case, the law doesn’t require intentional poisoning.” He also explained about the burden of proof on how the drugs entered the infant’s system.
Gant was represented by Coffeeville attorney Bradley Peeples in the case, and Young was represented by Charleston attorney Tara Lang.
