Mother tries to withdraw guilty plea in death of young son in Ohio

COLUMBUS (AP) — The mother of a 1-year-old Maryland boy found dead inside a backpack in an Ohio creek has asked to withdraw her guilty plea, arguing she suffered from battered woman syndrome.

Dainesha Stevens pleaded guilty in March to involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering in the death of her son, Cameron Beckford, late last year.

At the time, Stevens’ attorney said she wanted to take responsibility for not taking action when a friend of hers beat the child.

That man, Kurt Flood, has pleaded not guilty to charges including murder, evidence tampering and corpse abuse.

Stevens filed a motion to withdraw the plea Tuesday, saying domestic violence she suffered in Maryland wasn’t properly investigated before she pleaded guilty.