LEHIGHTON -- A mother accused of killing her 6-week-old son in Lehighton plans to plead guilty.
Tory Schlier, 20, of Lehighton allegedly fell asleep, rolled onto her baby, and suffocated him while high on drugs.
Schlier gave up her right to a preliminary hearing Friday morning in Jim Thorpe, and plans to plead guilty next month to the death of her baby boy who was only 42 days old.
Troopers say Schlier fell asleep with her child in bed, rolled onto the baby, and suffocated him inside a home in Leighton home while under the influence of a slew of drugs: Xanax, methamphetamine, and a prescribed dose of methadone.
"I am happy that Ms. Schlier is willing to acknowledge her responsibility and wants to move forward," said Carbon County District Attorney Jean Engler.
Schlier gave up her right to a hearing at district court and is planning to admit to involuntary manslaughter.
When we asked Schlier's family how they felt about losing their baby grandchild Brayden Cummings, emotions ran high.
"Who are you to sit there and say my grandchild was killed? It was an accident."
Schlier remained emotionless in the courtroom. She admitted to troopers that she was "fuzzy" when she went to bed with the infant just a few months ago.
The district attorney says the involuntary manslaughter charge carries a heavier penalty because of the victim's age, and that cases like this one are never easy.
"It's very sad and when I read the medical examiner's report that the child was only 42 days old, just seeing that was very difficult," Engler said.
Schlier is scheduled to be back in court next month, and could face a minimum of a year behind bars at a state prison.