Beatrice woman pleads guilty to lesser charges in son’s death, sexual assault of teen

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A Beatrice woman took a plea deal Wednesday in the death of her son and the sexual abuse of another child.

In one case, 28-year-old Ashlen Zitel pleaded guilty to negligent child abuse in exchange for prosecutors dropping a charge of negligent child abuse resulting in death.

In the other, she pleaded guilty to intentional child abuse, and prosecutors dismissed a count of first-degree sexual assault of a child.

SEE ALSO: Beatrice woman pleads not guilty in son’s death, sexual assault of teen

Zitel’s trouble with the law began on Aug. 15, when police said her 4-month-old son died while in the care of her boyfriend, Austin Meyn.

Court documents say Meyn was trying to stop the baby’s crying, so he laid him face down to limit his oxygen.

An arrest affidavit says Zitel did not question her boyfriend’s methods.

SEE ALSO: Beatrice couple accused in baby’s death charged with sexual abuse in separate case

The boy stopped breathing, and he was taken to a hospital, where he died.

An autopsy also found that the baby had “non-accidental trauma,” according to the affidavit, including broken ribs and bleeding in the brain.

Zitel and Meyn were also accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old between March and August.

The arrest affidavits in that case were sealed.

SEE ALSO: Bond set at $1 million for Beatrice man accused in baby’s death

Meyn has pleaded not guilty to intentional child abuse resulting in death, first-degree sexual assault of a child and intentional child abuse with no injury.

He is awaiting trial and is due back in court March 5.

Zitel is set to be sentenced on the same day.

SEE ALSO: Southeast Nebraska couple charged with child abuse in baby’s death