Manslaughter trial postponed, new evidence in Pater trial

By KAALTV

Jocelyn Pater / Mower County Jail Roster

(ABC 6 News) – A Glenville woman accused of 2nd-degree manslaughter in the death of her own child will now be tried in April of 2023.

The prosecution filed a notice of evidence of additional offenses to be presented at trial in late October, including Jocelyn Leslie Pater’s medical history of previous methamphetamine use and a detective’s testimony about sleep induced by a methamphetamine “crash,” according to court records.

Law enforcement claim that Pater’s alleged use of methamphetamine caused her to smother the infant, and prevented her from awakening before causing injury that allegedly led to his death.

Pater, 25, was charged with second-degree manslaughter along with charges of child endangerment, causing or permitting a child to inject, inhale, be exposed to methamphetamines, and fifth-degree drug possession after her two-month-old son died in her care.

According to court records, the medical examiner’s autopsy report said the infant died due to overlay while co-sleeping with an adult.

Law enforcement claim that Pater’s alleged use of methamphetamine caused her to smother the infant, and prevented her from awakening before causing injury that allegedly led to his death.

On Dec. 14, 2021, detectives learned from hospital staff that the child also presumptively tested positive for narcotics.

Pater is scheduled to appear for a pretrial March 31, 2023, with a jury trial scheduled for April 10, 2023.