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Du Quoin mother may face up to five years in prison in infant child's death

A Du Quoin woman faces up to five years in prison in the January 2011 death of her infant child, according to a press release from the office of Jackson County State's Attorney Michael Carr.State's Attorney Carr says Casey Parnell, 26, admitted giving birth to the the baby, which she thought was deceased, into a toilet while at a party in the 700 block of Sycamore Street in Carbondale, The party took place Jan. 20, 2011, Carr said.

Parnell did not attempt life-saving measures or seek medical treatment, said Carr. The baby died of hypoxia, which is a lack of oxygen, according to a forensic pathologist's report. Parnell was arrested Dec. 6, 2012, after a Jackson County grand jury handed down an indictment. She was charged with involuntary manslaughter, concealing a homicidal death and concealing the death of a person.

Parnell entered her plea at a pre-trail hearing at the courthouse. Parnell's sentencing hearing is at 2:30 p.m. March 23 at the county courthouse.