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Wife Pleads Guilty In Beating Death Of 2-Year-Old Boy

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- A Frederick County woman has pleaded guilty in the beating death of a 2-year-old boy in her care.

Thirty-seven-year-old Melissa Brittle of Thurmont pleaded guilty Wednesday to first-degree child abuse resulting in death. She faces 20 years in prison.

The Frederick News-Post reports that Brittle's attorney declined to comment.

The case stems from the Sept. 8, 2013, death of 2-year-old Robert Watkins, Brittle's husband's stepson. Police say the boy's mother put Robert in the Brittles' care two months before his death.

Raymond Brittle has pleaded not guilty to murder and child abuse in his stepson's death and is set for a court hearing Nov. 25.

Prosecutors say the boy was covered in injuries from ongoing abuse by his stepfather, and that Melissa Brittle failed to intervene to protect him.
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(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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