BENTONVILLE — A jury believed that Jennifer Moss endangered her 6-month-old son’s life, but the panel could not reach a decision on whether she was criminally responsible for the boy’s death. A mistrial was declared on the manslaughter charge against her.
Jennifer Moss, 21, of Gentry was charged with manslaughter, a Class C felony; and endangering the welfare of a child, a Class D felony. She faced from 3 to 10 years in prison if convicted of manslaughter and up to 6 years in prison for the endangering charge.
The jury deliberated for several hours Wednesday before returning with a guilty verdict on the endangerment charge. The panel was deadlocked on the manslaughter charge and could not reach a verdict.
Circuit Judge Robin Green declared a mistrial for the manslaughter charge. Prosecutors can retry Moss for manslaughter.
Firefighters and police were sent to 300 Meadow Court, No. 8 in Siloam Springs on Jan. 25, 2015, for a report of a baby who had no pulse and wasn’t breathing. The body was sent to the Arkansas Crime Laboratory in Little Rock for an autopsy. Preliminary results showed the cause of death was asphyxia due to co-sleeping, according to court documents.
Moss and her then husband, Austin, were arrested in February 2015. Austin Moss recently pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the case and will be sentenced in August.