VERO BEACH, FL — A mother whose 5-month-old infant died in a closed car is pleading not guilty to a charge of aggravated manslaughter of a child, her attorney said Tuesday.
Stephanie Salvilla-Werking, 38, of the 100 block of Drake Way, Sebastian, wants a jury trial in the death of her child, Gannon, said attorney Andrew Metcalf.
She waived her right to appear before Circuit Judge Robert Hawley in court on Tuesday.
Around 5 p.m. July 23 Werking found her son dead after working all day, without a lunch break, at 1717 Indian River Boulevard.
A co-worker saw her “crying and acting hysterical” according to court records. Police investigators found that the infant died of heat exhaustion in an infant seat behind the driver’s seat.
During interviews with police, the mother said her son apparently fell asleep in the car and she forgot to drop him off at a day-care center before going to work.
Sebastian mom whose infant died in hot car seeks jury trial for manslaughter charges
