JACKSONVILLE - A mother who allegedly left her 2-year-old alone for 19 days while she was in jail may face an aggravated child abuse charge, a prosecutor said Tuesday.
Assistant State Attorney Libby Senterfitt, speaking at a bail reduction hearing for Dakeysha Lee, said the state plans to file the charge, a first-degree felony that carries a maximum 30-year sentence.
Still, Lee's bail was reduced from $150,000 to $50,000 at the Rodney Gregory, who represents the 22-year-old mother, said the bail hearing was the first time he had heard about what charges the state was considering.
"We will respond if and when formal charges are brought," Gregory said.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has already filed a child abuse charge against Lee, but the State Attorney's Office won't file its formal charges until later this week.
Police said they believe Breanna Lee survived for 19 days on dry pasta, mustard and ketchup after her mother was jailed Sept. 10 on unrelated charges.
The child's father, Ogden Lee, found her naked inside the apartment watching television on Sept. 29. After the toddler was hospitalized for two days, Ogden Lee, who is separated from the child's mother and is seeking a divorce, was granted temporary custody.
