Ohio mom stands trial in son's meth death

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — A 21-year-old Ohio woman is standing trial this week, charged with the methamphetamine poisoning death of her toddler son.

Heather M. Lerch is one of four defendants charged in the drug-related death last winter of 17-month-old Patrick Nicholas Lerch.

The Akron Beacon Journal reports that police found the toddler unresponsive when they answered a call to the house Feb. 26. He died later at a hospital. An autopsy said the cause of death was methamphetamine poisoning during a period of neglect and abuse.

Police said a methamphetamine lab was found in the basement.

Lerch faces 13 felony charges, including murder, involuntary manslaughter, complicity to commit murder and drug offenses, in her son’s death in a suspected drug house.