Mother accused in death of infant son pleads guilty

CALGARY – A young Calgary woman has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of her infant son.

Shelby Anna Herchak’s 26-day-old son died after being rushed to hospital in August of 2010.

Police charged Herchak with second-degree murder after an autopsy found the boy had a fractured skull and brain trauma, and had died of blunt-force trauma.

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She was originally scheduled to stand trial this week, but on Thursday court heard that a deal was in the works between the defence and Crown.

“Essentially what it was, is a manslaughter plea that she didn’t intentionally cause the death; it was the result of an unlawful act that caused the death,” explains defence lawyer Kim Ross.

Herchak has now pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.

The date for a sentencing hearing will be set in November.