Springdale woman pleads guilty in connection to daughter's death

A Springdale woman pleaded guilty Thursday in connection with the death of her 5-year-old daughter in June.

Samantha Allison McMunn, 34, of the 40 block of Duquesne Court pleaded guilty to a felony count of involuntary manslaughter in the death of her daughter, Diem McMunn-Gereshenski, according to court records.

Springdale police and paramedics say they were dispatched to McMunn’s home at 8:44 a.m. June 13 for a distress call. When responders arrived, they found Diem unresponsive and took her to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, where she died a short time later, according to investigators.

The cause of death was methadone toxicity, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. The death was ruled an accident.

According to Allegheny County Police, McMunn told investigators it was possible her daughter discovered methadone in the house.

McMunn surrendered to authorities Sept. 8.

Police said McMunn was undergoing drug rehabilitation and required a daily dose of methadone. She stored the medication in syringes typically used to administer medicine to babies.

Investigators said they found some baby-style syringes inside the home that tested positive for methadone.

Methadone is a synthetic narcotic used to treat opioid addiction. It can come as a tablet, an injectable liquid or an oral solution.

A felony charge of endangering the welfare of children against McMunn was withdrawn, court records show.

Messages left for the District Attorney’s Office and McMunn’s public defender, Sarah Coblentz McGuire, were not immediately returned Friday.

McMunn is scheduled to be sentenced March 20.

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