Jury deliberations begin in nanny's trial over boy's death

KENNEWICK, Wash. (AP) — Benton County jurors have begun deliberating in the second trial of a former Richland nanny charged in the 2011 death of a toddler.

The Tri-City Herald reports 31-year-old Kelli Jacobsen is on trial for first-degree manslaughter in the death of Ryder Morrison. The toddler died in the hospital a day after his first birthday. Doctors say he had suffered abusive head trauma.

Jacobsen's first trial in 2013 ended in a mistrial after jurors failed to reach a unanimous decision.

In closing arguments, Benton County Prosecutor Andy Miller told jurors that Jacobsen told different versions of how the toddler was injured and that none were consistent with medical experts' opinions about how he died.

Defense attorney Shane Silverthorn said prosecutors failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Jacobsen is responsible for Ryder's death.

Jurors began deliberating Tuesday after more than a week of testimony.