Lake Katrine woman pleads guilty to manslaughter

KINGSTON, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- A Lake Katrine woman pleaded guilty to a manslaughter charge in connection to death of her partner's daughter. Kristin Delsanto, 29, pleaded guilty following a long investigation into the 2022 death of a 14-year-old.

On August 2, 2022, the Town of Ulster Police responded to calls of an unresponsive 14-year-old female. Despite police efforts, the child was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the Ulster County District Attorney's office, a year-long police investigation concluded that Delsanto and her partner Collin Schlegel, the victim's father, were aware and contributed to the child's usages of drugs and alcohol. Police say that Delsanto went with the child to obtain and consume the drugs that caused her death.

"This case is a heartbreaker," District Attorney Emmannuel Nneji said. "Illegal drug use and abuse by adults are obviously not okay and we all know the toll on our community, but the abuse of a child by giving her such poison that kills her, especially by the hands entrusted with her care and wellbeing, is unforgivable and will be held to account."

The indictment resulted from dedication to solve this case from Detective Sergeant Cheryl Benjamin and the Dective Division of the Town of Ulster Police Department. The New York State Police and Ulster County Sheriff's office also helped during the investigation.