Mother Arrested in Connection with Child’s Death

The mother of a 2-year-old boy who was beaten and died last year has been arrested in connection with his death.

Prosecutors charged 23-year-old Takara Juntunen with felony negligent homicide in the death of Forrest Groshelle. She also is charged with criminal possession of dangerous drugs.

Police had been searching for Juntunen since May 23. She was arrested Thursday in a home in Kalispell and is being held on $100,000 bail.

An autopsy found the boy died after suffering a lacerated small intestine. Juntunen's boyfriend, 22-year-old Brandon Newberry, is serving a 40-year sentence for mitigated deliberate homicide in Forrest's death.

Prosecutors allege Juntunen negligently caused her son's death by placing him in Newberry's care. Prosecutors allege she didn't seek medical care for her son, who had been throwing up in the days before his death.

Reported by the Associated Press.