Dead boy's mother pleads to child endangerment

11/25/2000

NAPOLEON - The mother of a 2-year-old boy who died in April at the hands of her boyfriend has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of child endangerment.

Billie Jo Hoy, 26, of Napoleon, who entered her plea Wednesday, could be sentenced to up to five years in prison. She originally was charged with permitting child abuse that resulted in the death of Brandon Carpenter.

Matthew Lilly, 22, pleaded no contest Oct. 19 to killing Brandon and was sentenced to life in prison by Henry County Common Pleas Judge Keith Muehlfeld. He will be eligible for parole in 20 years.

The Henry County coroner had ruled the death a homicide due to blunt trauma of the back and abdomen. Brandon died after injuries that police said occurred at the apartment where he lived with Miss Hoy and Mr. Lilly.