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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The mother of a 1-year-old Maryland boy found dead inside a backpack in an Ohio creek has asked to withdraw her guilty plea, arguing she suffered from battered woman syndrome.
Dainesha (deh-NEE'-shuh) Stevens pleaded guilty in March to involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering in the 2014 death of her son, Cameron Beckford.
At the time, Stevens' attorney said she wanted to take responsibility for not taking action when a friend of hers beat the child.
That man, Kurt Flood, has pleaded not guilty to charges including murder, evidence tampering and corpse abuse.
Stevens filed a motion to withdraw the plea Tuesday, saying domestic violence she suffered in Maryland wasn't properly investigated before she pleaded guilty.
Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien says Stevens has changed her mind after similar previous requests.
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