Stephanie I. Greene, 39, was found guilty of homicide by child abuse, involuntary manslaughter and unlawful conduct toward a child.
Stephanie I. Greene, 39, was found guilty of homicide by child abuse, involuntary manslaughter and unlawful conduct toward a child during a four-day jury trial that concluded Thursday in Spartanburg. Circuit Judge Derham Cole sentenced Greene in a hearing Friday morning. She will serve 80 percent of the prison sentence before she is eligible for release.
Greene’s 46-day-old daughter, Alexis, was found dead in her parents’ bed on Nov. 13, 2010. Greene appeared disoriented when Coroner’s Office Investigators first arrived. She had trouble walking, slurred speech and had unfocused eyes, according to trial testimony.
A toxicology report showed toxic levels of morphine in her blood, liver and brain as well as other drugs, including Klonopin, in her system.
Greene had been a nurse with a B.S.N Degree and failed to disclose her morphine prescriptions to her OB/GYN doctors and service providers and did not reveal her pregnancy and her breastfeeding of Alexis to her other doctors that were providing the prescriptions to her.
Greene was on morphine and other prescription drugs during her pregnancy and while she was breast feeding Alexis. Solicitor Barry Barnette and Assistant Solicitor Timi Poulos successfully argued Greene’s drug use led to the death of Alexis.
Prosecutors used testimony from the treating doctors and forensic evidence to bolster their argument. Dr. David Wren, the pathologist who performed the autopsy, testified that no injection sites were found on the baby’s body and the route of administration had to be oral.
“She knew how to work the system,” Barnette said. “She could have changed her ways and saved her child.”
Greeney has 38 fraudulent prescription drug charges pending against her. Greene’s prior criminal record includes a conviction for unlawful conduct toward a child and attempt to obtain controlled substance by fraud.