Lincoln County mom charged with involuntary manslaughter in death of baby

A Lincoln County woman was charged Tuesday with involuntary manslaughter in the Christmas Eve death of her baby, who was found dead on a couch amid squalor.

A preliminary autopsy report was unable to determine the baby’s cause of death, authorities said.

Stephanie Amber Tillman, 30, previously was charged with three misdemeanor counts each of neglect and of child abuse.

The new charge was filed as authorities completed more of their investigation and in consultation with the Lincoln County district attorney’s office, county sheriff’s Captain Tim Johnson said.

Authorities have said Tillman apparently was high on prescription drugs when they arrived at her Temple Lane home southwest of Iron Station.

The 7-month-old boy, Jerry Allen Jr., was found face down on the couch amid animal feces, trash and a raw hamburger, according to arrest warrants.

His father, Jerry Allen, had returned home late Dec. 24 and found his naked son unresponsive on the couch, according to the father’s 911 call.

“I don’t know what to do,” he said on the call. “I’ve been at work all day.” He told the 911 operator his son is “beyond help.”

He also found the couple’s daughters, ages 4 and 3, naked but unharmed, authorities said. Police documents vary on their ages; arrest warrants listed them as 2 and 3 years old.

Tillman, his girlfriend, was asleep nearby, allegedly high on prescription pills, authorities said. Tillman later told authorities she had been assaulted two days before her son’s death, the county sheriff’s office said.

In her mugshot, Tillman had bruises on her face and lip, and a bandage on her arm near the shoulder.

Tillman’s attorney, Scott Hudson, could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday. He previously declined to comment on what caused Tillman’s injuries.

Tillman remains in the county jail in lieu of $60,000 bail.

The two girls were taken into custody by the Department of Social Services, which placed them with other family members.

A neighbor had told The Observer he called the police in April when he found Tillman’s daughters wandering along the road, alone and naked. Police said they visited the home at the time, and recommended to the parents they install new locks for the doors. No charges were filed.

Family members set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the baby’s funeral, and have raised about half of the $3,000 needed.

This story was originally published December 29, 2015 at 3:17 PM with the headline "Lincoln County mom charged with involuntary manslaughter in death of baby."