LEWISTOWN - A Bratton Township woman who ran a licensed day care out of her house and was charged in connection with the death of a 1-year-old boy, and subsequently pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and obstruction of justice charges, was sentenced on Tuesday to serve one to two years in a state correctional facility, followed by an additional two years of probation.

Charges against Connie L. Narehood, 55, were filed in September 2008 after an investigation into the July 8, 2008 death of Zayden Scott Reeves, who was under her supervision on the day in question.

According to court documents, Reeves was dropped off by his mother around 9:30 a.m. at the day care center. Reeves was discovered to be unresponsive shortly after 10 a.m. by Narehood, who initially said that she placed Reeves in a playpen where she later found the child.

In July, Mifflin County Coroner Daniel P. Lynch said Reeves died as a result of mechanical asphyxiation.

According to court documents, police interviewed a 12-year-old who was allegedly at the day care center on the day of the incident. Police said the 12-year-old stated that Reeves had been placed in a playpen by a 9-year-old, who then placed a board on top of it in an apparent effort to contain the child, and additional objects were placed on top of the board to secure it.

The infant apparently attempted to push the board out of the way in an attempt to get out, and it fell on top of him. It landed on his neck and pinned him against the Pack 'n' Play, ultimately causing him to die of asphyxiation, documents indicate.

Narehood initially told police the child was in a room adjacent to the kitchen, but it was later discovered that child was in the basement of the residence, unattended at the time of the incident, court documents indicate.

Nearly everyone in attendance for Tuesday's proceedings was visibly shaken, including the relatives of both the infant and Narehood.

Narehood's defense attorney, Shawn Curry, was the first to address the court and "respectfully requested" his client receive a county sentence, so she could remain close to her support network of friends and family.

Curry said Narehood has acknowledged her responsibility and is truly remorseful about the death of Reeves.

Curry said that if Narehood could "trade places" with Reeves, she would.

Curry said the emotional impact this has had on Narehood will be something she "will carry with her for the rest of her life."

Curry addressed the specific charge of obstruction of justice and said his client was merely trying to "insulate the children who were there" and did not have any malicious intent.

Narehood spoke briefly and struggled to speak, but managed to say that she was "so very, very, sorry."

Joyce Harris, Reeves' great-grandmother, spoke and said that her grandson, Reeves' father, has completely changed and is struggling daily to continue with his life.

Prior to imposing sentence, President Judge Timothy S. Searer commented on the tragic nature of the case and said that he has no doubt that Narehood is remorseful, however the responsibility for Reeves' safety and care ultimately rests with her.

Searer also spoke of the importance of making sure that caregivers understand that they are responsible for those under their supervision.

After court proceedings ended, Mifflin County District Attorney Steve Snook echoed Searer's message and said that caregivers "need to realize you're held to a pretty high standard."

Snook said the case was particularly troubling because of the position Narehood allegedly put the 12-year-old and 9-year-old juveniles in.

Snook said that when Narehood was confronted by the authorities, her initial story was a lie and as a result, the 12-year-old was put in a precarious position of having to answer questions from law enforcement.

"She forced a 12-year-old girl to come to us with the truth ... that girl had to struggle with this," Snook said of how it was wrong for Narehood to put the girl in such a position.

In past statements, Snook has said, "These kids are not responsible for this in any way, shape or form ... if (Narehood) didn't do it, it was done with her direction."