New Kensington mother awaiting manslaughter trial pleads guilty to animal neglect

The mother of a 2-year-old boy police said was brutally murdered by her boyfriend as she slept in a nearby room pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a related misdemeanor count of animal neglect.

Police said Teresa Fetterman, 24, formerly of Aliquippa, did not get medical help for her 8-month-old mixed-breed puppy who police contend was hurt by her live-in boyfriend, Keith Dale Lilly Jr., around the same time investigators contend he repeatedly beat Fetterman’s 2-year-old son, Mikel, in the couple’s New Kensington home last March.

Fetterman, 24, who is also facing charges of involuntary manslaughter, conspiracy and other offenses in connection with her son’s death, told Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Mears she is currently receiving grief therapy but never mentioned the child’s death or the pending manslaughter case during a short hearing in which she appeared by video from the county jail.

Police contend Lilly used a blunt object to injure the dog, which was found in early April by police investigating the child’s death. According to court records, Fetterman, while sitting with her son in Pittsburgh hospital, told police that Lilly, was responsible for the dog’s injuries.

The child died from his injuries several weeks after he was hospitalized, police said.

“I did not get the dog to the vet to care for my dog. I take full responsibility,” Fetterman said during her guilty plea hearing.

Police said the dog eventually had a leg amputated. It has since been adopted.

Fetterman, who has been in jail since last May after she was charged in connection with her son’s death, was sentenced Wednesday to serve up to a year in prison but was immediately paroled.

Mears ordered that Fetterman not own or care for any animals during the duration of her parole. She will also remain in jail in lieu of a $50,000 bond pending the outcome of the involuntary manslaughter case, which is tentatively scheduled for trial in February.

Lilly, 31, is awaiting trial on charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy and other offenses in connection with the child’s fatal beating. Prosecutors said they will seek the death penalty if he is convicted. Lilly also faces animal cruelty and neglect charges.