Mom who rolled over, smothered 5-month-old daughter gets 3 years

Tiffani Cantrell, 24, of Piqua, was sentenced Monday, Nov. 16, to three years in prison in the rollover death of her infant daughter Keandra in 2008.

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By Nancy Bowman, Contributing Writer Updated 5:35 PM Monday, November 16, 2009

TROY – Three years in prison was ordered Monday, Nov. 16, for a Piqua woman convicted of child endangering in the 2008 rollover death of her 5-month-old daughter after a night of partying.

“Oh my God,” Tiffani Cantrell, 24, cried after hearing the sentence from Judge Jeffrey Welbaum in Miami County Common Pleas Court.

She put her head on the defense table, moaned and cried before bailiffs removed her.

Welbaum told Cantrell that her attitude and a warning from Children’s Services about sleeping in bed with a different child contributed to the sentence.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve had a pre-sentence investigation that is as bad as yours as far as attitude,” Welbaum said.

Cantrell denied responsibility, showed no remorse, displayed a “hostile, negative” attitude and was intoxicated and under the influence of prescription drugs, the judge said.

A jury found Cantrell guilty of the felony after two hours of deliberations Oct. 7.

At the trial, witnesses testified that the night before Keandra Cantrell died, her mother was across the street at a friend’s house drinking beer and taking Vicodin pills.

Prosecutors said those gathered drank and played cards until 5:30 a.m. when Cantrell went home, and put the infant in bed with her. Police were called around 8:45 a.m. Sept. 29, 2008, on a report of the child not breathing.

The case was not considered an accident because of evidence Cantrell was advised by Children’s Services in 2006 about the dangers of sleeping with another child, Jim Bennett, first assistant county prosecutor, said.

Monday, Cantrell declined comment before sentencing.

Defense lawyer Steve King said Cantrell had a limited education, “some mental health” history and no felony record before this conviction.

“The acts that resulted in the death of this youngster were not intentional acts,” King said.

Welbaum said Cantrell’s record included misdemeanor convictions for disorderly conduct and attempted assault.

Contact this reporter at nancykburr@aol.com or (937) 339-4371.

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