A North Whitehall Township woman has pleaded guilty to charges she strangled a 1-year-old girl who was in her care.
Brenda Broadwater, 49, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault of a victim less than 13 years old, a first-degree felony, and endangering the welfare of children as a parent or guardian, District Attorney Gavin Holihan said.
According to authorities, state police responded to a call Jan. 26 about a 1-year-old girl in cardiac arrest at Broadwater’s home in the 4000 block of Coplay Creek Road. A 911 caller said the child was playing in a stroller, and got a strap wrapped around her neck.
The girl wasn’t breathing when troopers arrived, and officers performed CPR as she was taken to Lehigh Valley Health Network’s Reilly Children’s Hospital. She was diagnosed with a mild anoxic brain injury, which has led to continuing verbal, speech and coordination deficits.
According to authorities, an investigation found that Broadwater, foster mother of the child and two others in the home, pushed a blanket into the girl’s mouth, then left her alone and improperly restrained in a stroller.
Broadwater is set to be sentenced Feb. 26; she faces up to 36 months in prison as the result of a plea agreement.
