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Conviction overturned in death of Detroit child who drowned

Posted at 9:32 AM, Jan 31, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-31 09:32:09-05

DETROIT (AP) — The Michigan appeals court has overturned the involuntary manslaughter conviction of a Detroit woman who has already served a prison sentence for the death of a child.

The 11-month-old child fell through a hole and drowned. The court says Tonya Peterson's rights were violated because a Wayne County judge gave a wrong jury instruction.

In 2018, the child fell through a hole in the floor of Peterson's house and drowned in a flooded basement. Seven children and three adults were living there. Peterson served 17 months in prison before she was released on parole in September.