Honk News (Nebraska) – A Nebraska woman received probation after her 4-month-old baby boy suffocated to death when her boyfriend reportedly made him sleep face-down.
Ashlen Zitel, 28, pleaded guilty in December 2024, following the death of her baby boy on August 15, 2024.
According to court documents acquired by KOLN, a local CBS affiliate, Zitel was busy at work while her boyfriend, Austin Meyn, 27, took care of her two children. Meyn grew frustrated with the baby’s crying and reportedly swaddled the baby in blankets, placing him face-down on a mattress in hopes that he would fall asleep. Zitel informed Meyn via text that he didn’t need to carry the baby on his back.
“Ashlen Zitel seems to accept the methods employed by Meyn, including the knowledge that the baby’s oxygen levels are intentionally lowered while he is face down and unable to roll over independently,” the affidavit stated, as reported by KOLN.
Meyn later contacted Zitel to inform her that the baby was not responding, according to police reports. Upon Zitel’s return, she discovered the baby on his back and promptly began CPR. After that attempt was unsuccessful, paramedics arrived and took the baby to Beatrice Community Hospital, where he was declared dead.
Authorities reported in the court filings that the infant exhibited bruises on his face and head. An autopsy on the young boy revealed multiple injuries, including bleeding in several areas of his head and fractured ribs. The autopsy report indicated signs that were said to align with shaken baby syndrome.
Zitel received a sentence of six years probation and is required to spend 120 days in jail, with the time served in 30-day increments from 2027 to 2030. The court may decide to lift her confinement, according to KOLN. Her sentence was connected to charges from another sexual assault case.
Meyn faced charges of child abuse that led to a death. He entered a not-guilty plea at his most recent court hearing. Meyn is still in custody and is set to appear in court again on May 6.