A Tulsa, Oklahoma, woman whose 8-month-old son drowned in a dirty mop bucket will spend 15 years behind bars

KOTV reported that Heather Freeman, 26, will also serve 10 years probation in connection with the death of Jaxon Annuschat. Annuschat was found face down in the mop bucket on March 6 and died the following day.

Freeman allegedly told officers that she laid her son on a bed next to hers and he had rolled off and fallen into the bucket as they slept. A medical examiner later confirmed that Annuschat had drowned.

KOKI reported in March that Freeman was the only adult home at the time. She claimed that a pair of two-year-old twins and a four-year-old were in the front room. The Department of Human Services (DHS) took custody of the three children following Annuschat’s death.

Prosecutors charged Freeman on July 5, after she tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine. The local station noted that Annuschat had marijuana in his system when he was born.

Additionally, a criminal complaint obtained by Tulsa World accused Freeman of allowing the infant to ingest methamphetamine and keeping him in deplorable conditions.

The case never went to trial as Freeman ultimately pleaded guilty to child neglect charges.

“We feel that this as a fair resolution to this case, consistent with other cases in Tulsa County similar in nature,” Assistant District Attorney Andrea Brown said following Monday’s sentencing.

“Any time a defendant pleads guilty and acknowledges their criminal wrongdoing, it brings a measure of closure to all those affected by the tragedy.”

[Featured Image: KOKI/KJMH]