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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Post Falls babysitter sentenced for boy’s death

Amanda Skogen (Courtesy of Kootenai County Sheriff's Department)
A baby sitter who pushed a 3-year-old Post Falls boy, resulting in a fatal head injury, will spend at least four years in prison. Amanda L. Skogen, 26, was sentenced to 13 years in prison with eligibility for parole after four during an emotional hearing today in Kootenai County District Court. Skogen was on her knees when she violently shoved Cohen Johnson on Oct. 4, causing him to fall back and hit his head. She confessed to shoving the boy after he wet his pants, telling police: “I hurt a poor little defenseless boy … And it was all my fault.” She originally was charged with first-degree murder but pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in December. Post Falls police Sgt. Dave Beck said the sentencing began at 9 a.m. and lasted into the afternoon. “His mother wanted to show a video of Cohen to put a person and face with the name,” Beck said.