Leavenworth mother convicted after toddler weighed just 12 pounds

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A Leavenworth mother faces the possibility of jail time after doctors reported her toddler weighed just 12 pounds.

Sarah Lynn Nicole Jones was convicted of child endangerment and attempted child abuse on June 25.

Detectives arrested her in January after doctors admitted her 22-month-old child to a Kansas City hospital. The child showed signs of severe malnourishment, according to court documents. The paperwork also showed the toddler’s weight was consistent with the weight of an average 2-month-old.

Jones allegedly claimed the child’s condition could be contributed to a premature birth and developmental delays.

Medical staff disagreed with Jones’ explanation. Court documents show experts at the hospital were unable to verify any medical condition that explained the child’s weight.

One physician involved in the case stated she was “certain the malnourishment is a direct result of starvation and neglect,” according to court documents.

Jones will be sentenced at a future time.