An Orchard Park mother who was charged last October with poisoning her baby’s milk has been exonerated of the charges, Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita said Thursday.
Kimberly A. Lawton, now 37, was arrested last Oct. 14 by Orchard Park Police on charges of second-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child. The arrest was based on the complaint of Thomas G. Meyers, the infant’s biological father, who accused Lawton of lacing the baby’s milk with ethanol.
After reviewing the case against Lawton, an Erie County Grand Jury returned a “no bill,” dropping the charges, in late March, Sedita said.
“We looked at the case and began to have some doubts about the defendant’s guilt,” said Sedita. “Our review of the case and our post-arrest investigation exonerated her.”
Orchard Park Police Chief Mark Pacholec said his detectives believed Meyers to be a credible complainant.
“I can’t begin to guess what happened in the grand jury. I don’t know who testified or what evidence was presented. It was their decision, and we will abide by it,” Pacholec said Thursday.
Kimberly A. Lawton, now 37, was arrested last Oct. 14 by Orchard Park Police on charges of second-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child. The arrest was based on the complaint of Thomas G. Meyers, the infant’s biological father, who accused Lawton of lacing the baby’s milk with ethanol.
After reviewing the case against Lawton, an Erie County Grand Jury returned a “no bill,” dropping the charges, in late March, Sedita said.
“We looked at the case and began to have some doubts about the defendant’s guilt,” said Sedita. “Our review of the case and our post-arrest investigation exonerated her.”
Orchard Park Police Chief Mark Pacholec said his detectives believed Meyers to be a credible complainant.
“I can’t begin to guess what happened in the grand jury. I don’t know who testified or what evidence was presented. It was their decision, and we will abide by it,” Pacholec said Thursday.