The Lafayette woman who witnesses said was busy smoking cigarettes and marijuana when her boy drowned pleaded guilty to child abuse on Tuesday.
Kayla Erin Barnett, 23, pleaded guilty to child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury stemming from her 4-year-old son, Izaiah Lopez, drowning in a swimming pool at 4210 E. 100th Ave. on June 9, said Sue Lindsay, spokeswoman for the Adams and Broomfield County District Attorney’s Office.
The child, who could not swim, and was not wearing a life vest, was found face down in a lap pool, according to authorities.
7News reported surrounded by other adults, and she claimed the boy was wearing a black-and-yellow life jacket.
Barnett was initially charged with negligent child abuse resulting in death, Lindsay said.
Barnett faces as many as six years in prison when she is sentenced Dec. 17, Lindsay said.
Ryan Parker: 303-954-2409, rparker@denverpost.com or twitter.com/ryanparkerdp
