Mom Accused of Letting Kid Sip Margarita Avoids Conviction

A Massachusetts woman charged with allowing her 2-year-old daughter to sip her margarita at a restaurant and pouring some of the alcoholic beverage into the girl's sippy cup has avoided a conviction and possible deportation.

The Salem News reports that charges against 42-year-old Sheldy Nelson, of Lynn, were continued without a finding for 11 months and will be dismissed if she takes a parenting class, passes random alcohol tests, and complies with orders from the Department of Children and Families.

Her attorney said in May that Nelson, who is from Haiti, didn't realize margaritas contained alcohol. He said conviction would result in deportation.

A waitress told police last August that Nelson ignored two warnings to stop giving her daughter sips. A hospital later found alcohol in the toddler's system.