Woman Accused Of Starving Child Changes Her Plea

A Kenmare woman whose 13-year-old son died weighing just 21 pounds has pleaded guilty to felony murder and neglect charges.

Thirty-seven-year-old Jessica Jensen was charged in March last year after a state medical examiner ruled her son died from chronic starvation due to untreated juvenile appetite disorder. His death was ruled a homicide.

Jensen changed her plea Friday. She initially told investigators her son had a hormonal growth problem and that his pituitary gland didn’t function properly. She said he had not seen a doctor for several years.

Jensen will be sentenced in July.