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FARMINGTON — A Layton mother pleaded not guilty Monday to obstructing justice in connection with the death of her 2-year-old son, who died from child abuse injuries allegedly inflicted by her boyfriend.
Jasmine Bridgeman, 23, pleaded not guilty to the second-degree felony charge.
Police say Bridgeman was interviewed several times over four days after bringing her son to Davis Hospital and Medical Center in critical condition, but "gave the officers false information regarding material aspects of the investigation," charging documents state.
James "JJ" Sieger Jr. died May 11 after Bridgeman's boyfriend, Joshua Schoenenberger, 34, allegedly squeezed and stepped on the boy after smearing feces on his face.
Schoenenberger, who also appeared in court Monday as a lawyer was appointed to represent him, faces an aggravated murder charge in JJ's death. Because the charge carries a potential death penalty, additional time was allotted to find an attorney qualified to handle such a case.
Police said Bridgeman lied several times about what had happened at the Layton home, 224 E. 1450 North, before telling detectives that Schoenenberger had become upset with James over potty training.
Bridgeman told police that her boyfriend asked her to lie to investigators about what happened as they drove to the hospital, a police report states. He then allegedly lied himself about what happened, blaming it on the mother.
The couple told doctors that they found JJ face down in the bathtub after he was left unattended, but doctors found no evidence of fluid in the boy's lungs, charging documents state.
Bridgeman returns to court for a hearing on July 27. Schoenenberger's next hearing will be July 17.
