Courtesy Craig Fire and Rescue
Vanessa Jenkins, the mother of 3-year-old Lane E. Cullen, pleaded guilty to Criminally Negligent Homicide, a class 5 felony, Tuesday in a case stemming from the 2018 Christmas Eve house fire that killed her son.
Law enforcement and the District Attorney’s office alleged that Ms. Jenkins negligently and unreasonably placed the child in a situation that resulted in his death, according to a press release from the 14th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
“Although the criminal process cannot bring Lane back to us, this plea offers a measure of justice for Lane and his family,” said Assistant District Attorney Matthew Tjosvold.
Detective Norm Rimmer of the Craig Police Department lead the investigation.
“Norm Rimmer did a great job for Lane in this case, and we thank him” said Assistant District Attorney Matthew Tjosvold. Investigators from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the 14th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and the Craig Fire Rescue also assisted in the case.
Jenkins will have a sentencing hearing in the Moffat County District Court on February 10, 2020 at 1 p.m.
This is a developing story.