Sentencing is scheduled this week for a local woman, who pleaded guilty to a charge of manslaughter in connection with the death of her infant son.
A jury will decide the punishment Sheryl Ann Jackson of Greenville receives for having caused the death of 6 month-old Tytus Hoskins, by leaving him in a vehicle in December 2012. A punishment hearing is set to begin Monday morning in the 196th District Court.
Jackson had previously pleaded not guilty to an indictment from the Hunt County grand jury on one count of murder, which accused Jackson of “intentionally or knowingly committing or attempting to commit an act clearly dangerous to human life” — namely leaving Hoskins unattended in a vehicle for more than two hours on Dec. 1, 2012 — and/or “not informing doctors for two days that Tytus Hoskins had been left in the car unattended, that caused the death of Tytus Hoskins.”
During a July 15 hearing, Jackson agreed to plead guilty to the charge of manslaughter, admitting she acted recklessly in causing Hoskins’ death.
Manslaughter is a second degree felony, punishable by a maximum sentence of from two to 20 years in prison and an optional fine of up to $10,000.
The Greenville Police Department reported Hoskins began to succumb to exposure and the consequences of exposure on the day when the temperature rose to 81 degrees. The police department was notified of the offense on Dec. 3, 2012, at which time it began an investigation along with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.