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Mother who hid rifle in toddler's crib gets suspended sentence

ST. PETERS, Mo., Oct. 3 (UPI) -- A Missouri woman who left a loaded rifle in her toddler's crib has received a suspended sentence, officials said.

Cheryl Darlene Dudley, 37, of St. Peters, pleaded guilty to eight counts of child endangerment Wednesday, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

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St. Peters police were called to Dudley's home in July after a witness reported seeing Dudley's 22-month-old daughter tied to the garage with a rope.

While investigating the incident, police found drugs a dresser drawer within reach of the toddler and Dudley's 7-year-old son.

Police also found a loaded rifle stashed in the toddler's crib.

Dudley told the police that she put the rifle in the crib because she heard noises in her back yard and hadn't put it away yet.

Dudley's daughter also had flea bites and appeared to have been scratched by a dog. Five dogs were seized from Dudley's home during the investigation.

Police further found dog feces, dirt, cigarettes and mold inside Dudley's home.

Circuit Judge Nancy Schneider sentenced Dudley to five years of probation, during which she must meet 17 requirements, including mental health counseling, prosecutors said.

If Dudley does not meet the requirements, she will be forced to serve a 10-year prison sentence.

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