Columbia police officer pleads guilty to reduced charge in child's death - ABC17NEWS

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel good read/share my friend.

Not being sure of the circumstances of the crash, not really sure how to comment on it.

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia police officer pleaded guilty in connection with a child's death.

Andria Heese pleaded guilty to careless and imprudent driving during a court hearing Tuesday morning.

Heese was initially charged with involuntary manslaughter in the January 2019 death of 4-year-old Gabriella Curry. The special prosecutor on the case, Kevin Hillman, reduced the charges Friday.

Bill Tackett, former Cole County prosecutor said he believed the lessening of the charges was the appropriate move, saying he wasn't convinced a jury would find Heese guilty of manslaughter.

The former prosecutor said while the sentence carries up to 180 days in jail, he doesn't see Heese serving any time and would expect the officer to be placed on probation.