Trial Ordered For Montco Woman In 1992 Babysitting Death
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) - A Montgomery County woman has been ordered to stand trial on charges that she murdered a five-month-old infant she was babysitting for in Upper Merion nearly two decades ago.
A neighbor and former EMT has testified at Melissa Haskell's preliminary hearing that she received a frantic call from the baby's father and tried to revive the infant. She also told the court that Haskell didn't scream, she wasn't frantic, and didn't appear upset about the child's condition.
Haskell was charged after prosecutors reopened the case following a tip from the 38-year-old woman's former husband.
Prosecutor Chris Maloney says they used a wiretap to get a confession.
"The defendant states that she would 'never do to their son what she did to this baby' -- specifically that she would never put her hand over her son's mouth like she did to that baby," Maloney recounts.
But defense attorney Martin Mullaney says it took Michael Leflar, Haskell's ex-husband, several years to come forward and only did so because the couple was involved in a custody battle (see related stories).
The attorney also claims his client was coerced by Leflar to make the admission.
Haskell is charged with third-degree murder and remains behind bars.
Reported by Brad Segall, KYW Newsradio 1060
