Woman charged in death of toddler will face jury trial Monday

COLUMBIA, Missouri (KMIZ)

Lavosha Daniels will be at the Boone County Courthouse at 9 a.m. Monday before her trial begins Nov. 20.

Daniels, 32, of Independence – the baby's mother – was charged with abandonment of a corpse and first-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Samone Daniels, who was 4 to 5 months old, was found dead outside a tire shop in 2019.

The child was killed after allegedly being strangled by Staffone Fountain.

Staffone Fountain, 32, of Independence, Missouri, was originally charged with first-degree murder and abandonment of a corpse. In August, he pleaded guilty to abandonment of a corpse and involuntary manslaughter.

The state recommended a four-year sentence for abandonment of a corpse and seven years for involuntary manslaughter, to run concurrently.