Prosecutor recommending probation for day care operator in infant's death \

YOUNGSTOWN

The owner of an East Side day care where an infant died in January entered guilty pleas Thursday to reduced charges.

Deborah Poindexter, 47, of Lenox Avenue, entered Alford pleas before Visiting Judge Richard Reimbold in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to a third-degree felony count of involuntary manslaughter and a misdemeanor charge of child endangering.

Poindexter, who has no criminal record and has been free on bond since she was indicted on a charge of murder by a grand jury in July, will be sentenced Dec. 23. Her bond has been continued.

Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer McLaughlin is recommending a sentence of probation for three years.