Mom admits neglect in son's death

Amber Garrett, charged with felony neglect in the 2017 death of her 2-year-old son, pleaded guilty this morning. 

Malakai Garrett was severely beaten, and caregiver Mitchell Vanryn – Amber Garrett's boyfriend at the time – was convicted of aggravated battery and domestic battery and sentenced to 40 years in prison. 

Amber Garrett, 27, was charged with two counts of felony neglect after the boy died Nov. 29, 2017. She pleaded guilty to both counts today in Allen Superior Court. 

She could be ordered to spend up to six years in prison when she's sentenced next month. Her trial had been scheduled June 24. 

Jurors in March acquitted Vanryn, 28, of murder but convicted him on the other two charges. He had been expected to testify at Amber Garrett's trial. 

mleblanc@jg.net

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