Murder Charges Filed in Serenity Wilson Death Case

LavanwayAdditional charges have been filed against a Plymouth woman accused of involvement in the death of her two-year-old daughter.

Serenity Wilson was pronounced dead in late September after receiving hours of intensive medical care at a Fort Wayne hospital. Investigators determined her death was the result of blunt force trauma.

Her mother, 24-year-old Krysti Lavanway was scheduled for a plea submission hearing in Marshall County Superior Court on Thursday.

According to information provided by the Marshall County Prosecutor’s office, Lavanway’s defense attorney withdrew a plea agreement to charges of Neglect of a Dependant Resulting in Death. Lavanway instead pleaded guilty to the charges.

Authorities allege Lavanway abstained from providing her daughter with the medical attention necessary following Wilson’s alleged beating in September. Medical professionals determined Wilson displayed bruises from previous incidents on her body.

During Thursday’s hearing, Judge Robert Bowen found Lavanway guilty of the Level 1 Felony of Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death and set her sentencing hearing for December 16th.

According to Marshall County Prosecutor Nelson Chipman, the state filed an additional charge against Lavanway following the hearing. She will now be facing a Class X felony count of Murder.

Murder charges were also filed against 23-year-old Shane Weedling, the other individual allegedly present prior to Wilson’s death.