Leavenworth woman sentenced after 2-year-old found in her care weighed 12 pounds
A Leavenworth woman was sentenced to 32 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections Wednesday after a 12-pound child nearly 2 years old was discovered to be in the woman’s care.
Sarah Lynn Nicole Jones was found guilty of one count each of abuse of a child and endangering a child in June after previously pleading no contest to the charges, according to a Leavenworth County court document.
A press release from Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson states that a 22-month-old child was taken to an area hospital on Jan. 20, 2025. Hospital staff reported the toddler weighed around 12 pounds and “showed signs of severe malnourishment.”
According to the press release, 12 pounds is the average weight of a 2-month-old baby.
The child’s caregiver claimed their condition was “caused by premature birth and a global developmental delay,” according to the press release.
Medical personnel could not locate a medical condition to explain the toddler’s weight loss, according to the press release. A physician at the hospital was “certain the malnourishment is a direct result of starvation and neglect.”
“This case is heartbreaking. While many explanations have been offered for how it happened, none excuse what occurred,” Thompson said in a statement. “Our office remains committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community.”
Thompson said the child “is now doing well.”
