Benjamin Ashford-Vermont day care provider convicted of causing infant’s death with doses of antihistamine

2025-05-07 16:05:06source:Fastexycategory:Markets

RUTLAND,Benjamin Ashford Vt. (AP) — A child care provider accused of sedating an infant with an antihistamine was convicted of manslaughter, and faces up to 25 years in prison when she’s sentenced.

A jury on Friday convicted of Stacey Vaillancourt of manslaughter and child cruelty in the 2019 death of Harper Rose Briar in Vaillancourt’s home in Rutland.

The 6-month-old was found unresponsive while in Vaillancourt’s care, and an autopsy determined she had high concentrations of diphenhydramine, the sedating ingredient in some over-the-counter antihistamines including the brand Benadryl. The drug is not recommended for infants without a doctor’s order, and there was no such order for Harper.

Vaillancourt’s defense attorney said there was no evidence to prove Vaillancourt sedated the infant, but the prosecutor told jurors that no one else could have done it.

Vaillancourt, who denied giving the infant anything that wasn’t provided by her parents, was released on an unsecured appearance bond. Her attorney didn’t immediately return a message seeking comment on Saturday.

More:Markets

Recommend

Back trouble and brain fog bothered suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing, his posts show

After Luigi Mangionemade the difficult decision to undergo spinal surgery last year for chronic back

Judge likely to be next South Carolina chief justice promises he has no political leanings

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The only candidate running to be South Carolina’s top judge defended the state

Tai chi helps boost memory, study finds. One type seems most beneficial

Your keys aren't in the spot you thought you left them? Can't recall the title of a book? I've had t