HOLLIDAYSBURG — An Altoona woman will be on probation for seven years after pleading guilty Friday to a endangering the welfare of a child, a charge filed in connection with a toddler who ingested methamphetamine.

Blair County Judge Jackie Bernard handed down the sentence to Sarah Ann Sibold, 22, who testified in October against co-defendant, Kenneth Lee Lampenfeld, now serving a sentence of five to 15 years for his role in the child’s exposure to the drug.

During Lampenfeld’s trial, Sibold told the jury that when she and the toddler were living with Lampenfeld on the 300 block of 14th Street, he regularly left plates used for meth consumption on the coffee table in the living room, an area where the girl played with toys.

Trial testimony indicated that on Sept. 23, 2023, the child had a seizure in the living room, prompting Lampenfeld and Sibold to transport her to UPMC Altoona and deny knowledge as to the potential cause.

Upon learning that the child had meth in her blood, police said Lampenfeld told Sibold to blame two other people residing in the residence. The child subsequently recovered from what was described during trial by a social worker as “a near fatality.”

Defense attorney John Siford asked Bernard to accept the recommended probationary sentence for Sibold. He said the incident occurred during “a low point” in Sibold’s life and described Lampenfeld as someone with “a forceful personality.”

Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Mays also asked Bernard to consider the recommended sentence in light of Sibold’s cooperation, not only with investigating police officers and prosecutors but also with Children, Youth & Families personnel, who have since closed their investigation.

When handing down the sentence, Bernard included requirements for Sibold to undergo drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations and to follow through with recommended treatment. She also ordered Sibold to complete a parenting class and to engage in cognitive behavioral therapy.

“You’re very fortunate that this was not more serious for your child,” the judge said.

“I think she’ll be more conscious in the future,” Siford said on Sibold’s behalf.

Based on the negotiated plea, Sibold’s charge of endangering the welfare of a child was regraded from a first-degree felony to a third-degree felony. A misdemeanor charge of recklessly endangering another person was withdrawn.

The jury that heard Lampenfeld’s case convicted him of a first-degree felony of endangering the welfare of a child and a second degree misdemeanor charge of recklessly endangering another person.

Bernard, who handed down Lampenfeld’s sentence and recognized his criminal history that started when he was a juvenile, said she hoped the sentence of five to 15 years would keep him from future contact with law enforcement.

Lampenfeld and defense attorney Phil Robertson have filed an appeal with the state Superior Court.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.