mother who admitted to smothering baby acquitted
Dacia Lacey acquitted by judge Stoner after admitted she smothered her own child.
An Indianapolis mother, who confessed to smothering her baby while under the influence of methamphetamine, experienced a mix of emotions when Judge Mark Stoner declared her not guilty of neglect of a dependent resulting in her daughter's death.
Dacia Lacey, 32, faced the possibility of up to 40 years in prison for the tragic incident involving her daughter, Alona, in 2022. However, Judge Stoner's decision to clear her of the charges left her visibly overwhelmed, as she hid her face in her hands during the proceedings.
The judge's ruling comes amid growing controversy surrounding his decisions in court. Judge Stoner has faced calls for resignation following a recent case where he sentenced a mentally ill man, who fatally shot a police officer, to time served.
During Lacey's trial, Judge Stoner acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, stating, "There are some things you can never do. You can never have sole possession of your children and go out and use drugs." However, he also emphasized that not every mistake or wrongdoing constitutes a criminal act.
Stoner highlighted the lack of evidence to support the specific charge of neglect resulting in death, noting the absence of signs of long-term abuse or a clear cause of death for the infant. He also pointed out the role of prosecutors in choosing charges and emphasized the need for proof of criminal intent in such cases.
The courtroom scene captured the emotional turmoil faced by Lacey, who had previously provided a detailed confession to the police about the incident. Despite the tragic circumstances, the legal proceedings underscored the complexities of determining criminal responsibility in cases involving substance abuse and parental neglect.
