Mom Accused Of Dumping 8-Year-Old Boy At Hospital Takes Plea Deal

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A Utah mother has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor child abandonment charge after prosecutors say she left her 8-year-old son at a hospital.

Court documents show the woman has been sentenced to two years' probation and agreed to obey a parenting plan developed with state child welfare workers.

A misdemeanor child abuse charge was dismissed in exchange.

Prosecutors say she left the 8-year-old with a note saying she did not want him because he was "rude" and "ungovernable."

Authorities say the boy said his mother hit him with a spoon.

The mother told reporters in February she thought it was OK to leave the boy at the hospital because of Utah's Safe Haven law. That measure only applies to newborns.

The Associated Press is not naming the mother to avoid identifying the boy.