Kansas woman charged in baby’s death faces new charges

OLATHE, Kan. (AP) – A 28-year-old Johnson County woman charged in the death of her baby in a house fire is now facing charges of intimidating a witness.

Karlie Mae Phelps, of Shawnee, was charged Thursday with violating a protective order and intimidation of a witness, both misdemeanors.

The Kansas City Star reports Phelps’ attorney entered a not guilty plea for her during a court hearing on Friday.

Phelps was charged in February with involuntary manslaughter and endangering a child after her son died in a fire at her home.

The child’s father, Nicholas Adam Ecker, is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated arson in the boy’s death.