*** MEDIA ADVISORY *** December 31, 2004                                                                 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   PECK ENTERS PLEA OF GUILTY IN DEATH OF CHILD AND CONSPIRACY TO DELIVER METHAMPHETAMINE MEDIA CONTACT:  Curtis T. Hill, Jr. 296-1888             A criminal trial was scheduled for Monday, January 3, 2005 in the State of Indiana’s case against Laura Peck for the charge of Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury stemming from the March 29, 2004 drowning death of Peck’s six (6) month old son Dillan Peck.  However, on December 30, 2004, Laura Peck entered a plea of guilty to the charged offense of Neglect of a Dependent  Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury a Class B Felony along with an additional charge that was scheduled for trial at a later time, Conspiracy to Deliver Methamphetamine also a Class B Felony.  Each offense carries a maximum penalty of up to twenty (20) years in prison and Peck’s agreement with the State of Indiana provides Elkhart Superior Court No. 3 Judge George W. Biddlecome complete discretion in imposing up to twenty (20) years imprisonment on each offense.Peck,  along with Robert Hossler, the biological father of Dillan Peck,  were both charged with Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury following an investigation by the Goshen Police Department in to the drowning death of Dillan Peck.  The investigation determined that, the six (6) month old infant had been placed in to a bath tub containing water and left there along with his three (3) year old sibling unattended while Peck and Hossler were on the front porch of the home reportedly smoking.  According to reports, Peck advised detectives at the Goshen Police Department that the child was without adult supervision for approximately five (5) to ten (10) minutes and upon her return to the bath tub, the child was found floating in the water and unresponsive.  The three (3) year old child was unharmed. “This was a death that was absolutely one hundred (100) percent preventable”, said Curtis T. Hill, Jr. Elkhart County Prosecuting Attorney.  During the investigation into the death of Dillan Peck, investigators from Goshen Police Department learned that Peck and Hossler reportedly had connections with the Methamphetamine trade resulting in additional investigation.  According to investigative reports, Hossler and Peck allegedly were involved in the sale of methamphetamine within days of the death of their son.  During the December 30th plea hearing Peck gave the factual details to her involvement in both of these crimes.  Judge Biddlecome accepted her plea of guilty and scheduled sentencing for February 10, 2005 at 8:30 a.m.  As a condition of her plea, Peck has agreed to provide testimony concerning Hossler’s involvement in both of these offenses.  Hossler is currently scheduled to proceed to trial for these charges on May 2, 2005 at 9:00 a.m.