Mother Pleads Not Guilty in Baby's Smothering Death

A Vermont woman has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the smothering death of her infant son.

The Burlington Free Press reports that 27-year-old Rosemary Gile entered the plea Thursday in superior court.

Court records show she had a blood alcohol level of 0.132 shortly after police were called to her Burlington home July 22 on a report of an unresponsive baby.

Prosecutors say Gile was sleeping with the nearly 4-week-old baby, Saunder, when she smothered him. He died July 30.

State's Attorney T.J. Donovan says he opted for a charge of involuntary manslaughter because it was not an intentional crime.

But he also told the Free Press the issue in the criminal case is the allegations of drug and alcohol use while co-sleeping with a newborn.