Moorhead (trfnews.i234.me) — A Moorhead woman is expected to plead guilty in the abuse-related death of a toddler who was in her care.
Plea Hearing Set in Clay County
Court records say a plea agreement has been reached in the case against 24-year-old Shiann Lynn Erickson.
Erickson is charged with second-degree murder without intent. A change of plea hearing is scheduled for April 7.
She had earlier pleaded not guilty in the death of 3-year-old Eastyn Deronjic.
Child Died in March 2024
Prosecutors say Erickson and her former partner, 25-year-old Mason Garza, were responsible for the boy’s death.
Investigators said the child’s mother left Eastyn and a younger sibling in their care.
According to court documents, the mother told investigators she was dealing with addiction.
She also said she was trying to leave an abusive relationship.
Emergency crews were called to the couple’s apartment in Moorhead on March 18, 2024.
Authorities found Eastyn was not breathing. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Autopsy Found Severe Injuries
An autopsy found more than two dozen blunt force injuries on the child.
The report ruled the death a homicide. It said the cause of death was assault.
Prosecutors also said the child was treated with particular cruelty.
They said his age made him especially vulnerable.
Those claims exposed both defendants to harsher penalties.
The original charge carried a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
Co-Defendant Already Sentenced
Garza already pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the case.
He was sentenced last year to 20 years in prison.
Erickson’s defense team had planned to argue she was also abused by Garza.
Defense filings said she feared immediate harm if she tried to stop him.
That argument was expected to play a key role if the case went to trial.
The guilty plea would avoid a trial and move the case into sentencing.
For official case and court information, readers can visit the Clay County District Court, the Minnesota Court Records Online system, and the Clay County official website.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.