Two Bedford County women sentenced to prison and probation over baby’s overdose death

BEDFORD COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — Two Bedford County women will spend several years behind bars after pleading guilty in the overdose death of a 1-month-old baby, authorities said.

District Attorney’s Office officials said both Jayleigh Long and Shannon Kinser will spend 4 to 10 years in state prison after the incident. He pleaded guilty to child endangerment charges earlier this year.

In July 2023, police were called to Long’s home in Broad Top Township after her young child was found unresponsive.

Investigators said they later determined the baby had been exposed to methamphetamine before being put to bed.

Since we could not determine which woman had the methamphetamine that killed this child, we wanted to ensure that both women were adequately punished. Moreover, sentencing guidelines for women for child endangerment charges were harsher than for involuntary manslaughter charges. Therefore, we felt that higher pay and rules were necessary. Ultimately, Ms. Kinser and Ms. Long will have to live with the fact that their actions caused this child’s death, and they will bear the guilt and shame of that outcome.

This office takes all cases of child abuse very seriously and is deeply disturbed by the Defendants’ actions. This child deserved a long and healthy life. Nothing we do or suggest to the court can bring this little boy back, but we take comfort in knowing that his abusers are being punished through the criminal justice system. We hope the defendants’ cases send a message to anyone suffering from addiction that this is the risk parents take every day when they choose drugs over their children.

Authorities say both Long and Kinser’s sentences include 10 years of probation.