NAMPA, Idaho — A Nampa mother charged in connection with the death of her 12-day-old son did not enter a guilty plea Thursday after a Canyon County judge paused proceedings to allow for additional legal research.
Allysen Armenta appeared in Canyon County court on Thursday, where she had been expected to plead guilty to one count of failure to notify authorities of a death and one count of injury to a child under an agreement with prosecutors.
During the hearing, the judge asked Armenta to explain why she failed to notify authorities after her baby's death. Armenta said she was using another phone to contact people and make arrangements for the baby's funeral. It is the first time that detail has been discussed in court.
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As Armenta continued speaking, her attorney interrupted and stopped her from answering further. Armenta then told the court she had been sleeping with her son and said he died while they were sleeping.
No guilty plea was entered.
WATCH: ALLYSEN IN COURT
The judge called a recess, and after about 30 minutes, said on the record that he had met with attorneys in chambers. He said the court and attorneys need to conduct additional legal research before the case can move forward.
A new hearing has been scheduled for 9 a.m. on Aug. 20. It is not yet clear whether Armenta will enter a guilty plea at that hearing.
Armenta was visibly crying when attorneys returned to the courtroom after meeting in chambers.
Armenta is charged with two felony counts of injury to a child and one felony count of failure to notify authorities of a death.
The charges stem from the death of her 12-day-old son in December 2025. Court records previously showed Child Protective Services was trying to locate Armenta and the baby's father, Brian Lemke, to conduct a welfare check on the newborn when the child was found dead.
Lemke was previously sentenced to up to 15 years in prison, with six years fixed, after pleading guilty in the case.
READ MORE| Nampa father sentenced to 15 years in prison after baby was found dead in December
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