Mineral Point Woman Pleads Guilty in Death of 4 Month Old

A Mineral Point daycare provider accused in the death of a 4 month old boy in 2022 pleaded guilty to several child neglect charges Monday morning. 31 year old JoAnna Ford pleaded guilty to five child neglect charges, including one count of neglecting a child where the consequence is death. She also pleaded guilty to retail theft. Ford faces a maximum of 25 years in prison for the charge of neglecting a child with a consequence of death, while the remaining charges each carry up to 3 years and 6 months in prison. Judge Lisa McDougal granted the state’s request to allow for a sentencing recommendation, something the defense asked to be excluded as part of a plea deal. Ford’s sentencing hearing has been scheduled for April 5th.