Mom Sentenced To 22 Years In Prison For Son's Death
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4)- A mother who left her toddler alone at home to die will spend at least two decades behind bars.
Meghan McKeon pleaded guilty on Thursday to one count of child abuse resulting in death.
Prosecutors said she left her son Austin, 3, home alone for four days earlier this spring. He died of dehydration.
"I told her this is a pain that will never go away. I miss Austin's smile, his laughs and watching him play in the park," said Austin's grandmother Charity O'Konski.
It took some time for investigators to find out exactly what happened because McKeon told them she had only left him alone for one night while she was at work. They eventually discovered that she had left him home alone while she went to work and stayed the night with her boyfriend.
"I also told her she took an innocent boy's life to put herself first. It makes me wonder if she has any remorse because I don't think she does," said O'Konski. "I want the world to know that Austin was a good kind and a loving kid and what she did was so unfair. It's unfair that she can breathe and he can't."
McKeon's plea deal sends her to prison for 22 years.
The Steamboat Springs Police Chief Joel Rae said his department is glad to see McKeon being held responsible for the unfortunate and unfair death of her son.
The district attorney called Austin's death tragic and unnecessary.
Austin's grandmother said she has no choice but to forgive McKeon.
"Peace, I just want our family to be at peace,I want to move on, go forward and to make sure there's never another Austin like this," said O'Konski.
