Hawaii mom sentenced for baby's drug death

HONOLULU, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- An Oahu, Hawaii woman has received 10 years probation for causing her baby's death by using methamphetamine while pregnant.

Tayesha Aiwohi was the first woman to be prosecuted in Hawaii for causing the death of a child through drug use after her premature son died in 2001 with toxic levels of meth in his system.

The Honolulu Star-Bulletin said Thursday Aiwohi, who has five other children, pleaded no contest to manslaughter earlier this summer and was ordered to undergo drug treatment and attend parenting classes.

Aiwohi's case stirred up debate among health-care professionals in the islands over whether or not her prosecution would discourage other drug-addicted mothers from seeking treatment, the newspaper said.