A Nebraska woman was sentenced to probation for allowing her 4-month-old baby boy to suffocate to death after her boyfriend allegedly forced him to sleep face down.
Ashlen Zitel, 28, pleaded guilty in December 2024, several months after her baby boy died on August 15, 2024.
Zitel was at work while her boyfriend, Austin Meyn, 27, looked after both of her children, according to court documents obtained by KOLN, a local CBS affiliate.
According to the documents, Meyn became frustrated with the baby’s crying and allegedly swaddled him in blankets before placing him face-down on a mattress in the hopes that the baby would pass out.
Zitel told Meyn via text message that he did not have to carry the baby on his back.
“Ashlen Zitel does not appear to question the methods that Meyn is using, including being aware that the baby’s oxygen levels are intentional being reduced as he is face down and unable to roll over on his own,” the affidavit stated, according to KOLN.
According to police, Meyn later called Zitel and informed her that the baby was unresponsive. When Zitel returned and discovered the baby on his back, she performed CPR. When that failed, paramedics were called, and the baby was taken to Beatrice Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
According to court documents, police discovered bruising on the baby’s face and head.
An autopsy revealed that the little boy had suffered several injuries, including hemorrhaging in multiple locations on his head and broken ribs. The autopsy report revealed symptoms that were allegedly consistent with shaken baby syndrome.
Zitel was sentenced to six years probation and ordered to spend 120 days in jail, 30 days at a time, between 2027 and 2030. According to KOLN, the court may lift her confinement order. Her sentence was also based on charges from a separate sexual assault case.
Meyn was also charged with child abuse that resulted in death. He pleaded not guilty during his most recent court appearance. Meyn remains in custody until his next court appearance on May 6.
