Local
Former St. Charles County Nanny Has Conviction Reversed
By Mike Thomas
Mar 3, 2010 - 4:30:52 AM

A nanny who was found guilty of seriously injuring a 4-month-old St. Charles County boy nearly three years ago is likely to get a new trial.

24 year old Rebecca Harris, who had lived in O'Fallon, has been serving a 7-year prison sentence for injuring 4 month old Kaleb Wakefield.   The incident occurred in October 2007 while Harris was babysitting for the boy at his home in St. Peters.

On Tuesday, the Missouri Eastern District Court of Appeals reversed Harris’ 2008 conviction and sent the case back to St. Charles County. The appellate judges said jurors should not have seen a six-hour police interview with Harris because she had asked for an attorney at the beginning of the interview.   The judges said the police should have immediately ceased questioning until either Harris initiated further communications or she was able to confer with her counsel.

St. Charles County Prosecutor Jack Banas says his office is expected to pursue a new trial.