June 26, 2026 6:15p
(WGTD)---An exhausted mother allegedly suffocated her baby while breastfeeding and has now been charged with a felony.
24 year-old Lisa Pernsteiner was released on a signature bond after appearing in Racine Court on Friday to face a charge of Neglecting a Child--Consequence is Death.
According to the criminal complaint, Pernsteiner said fell asleep breastfeeding the six month-old while sitting upright in her Caledonia apartment the morning of New Year's Eve. Pernsteiner's mother--who lives with the family--discovered her daughter on top of the baby at about 10 a.m. The child wasn't breathing. Caledonia police and fire were dispatched to the apartment just after noon.
Pernsteiner purportedly told investigators she'd been up all night and was exhausted. She also said she had one mixed drink the night before. The complaint indicated that a breath sample resulted in a reading of .054. A blood/alcohol test registered .025.
If convicted as charged, the maximum penalty is 25 years in prison.
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