Childcare provider faces prison time after Chesterfield child's death

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- (WTVR) -- A Chesterfield woman could face 11 years in prison after a child died at her in-home daycare.

Carrie C. Persichini, 53, pleaded guilty Thursday to felony child neglect, Frank LaRuffa, with the Chesterfield Commonwealth's Attorney's Office confirmed.

An involuntary manslaughter Persichini initially faced was withdrawn.

Three-month-old Peter Hitt was found unresponsive and in cardiac arrest when police were called to Persichini's Bridgewood Road home on August 23, 2016.

The infant died of sudden unexpected infant death associated with an unsafe sleep environment.

Investigators said the child was in a bedroom in a pack and play-style play pen.

"There's no evidence to indicate the pack and play fell apart and did any harm to the child," Chesterfield Police Sgt. Brad Conner said early in the investigation. "As far as we know, the medical examiner reported that the child was a healthy three-month-old with no obvious signs of any malnutrition or any injuries or anything of that nature."

Persichini, who was caring for more than five kids at the time, did not have a license to do so.