Judge approves lower bond for mother accused of manslaughter in death of 5-year-old son

A Douglas County judge has reduced bond for a 25-year-old Lawrence woman who was charged with manslaughter after prosecutors said her 5-year-old son died earlier this year after he ingested opiates at home.

J.C. Gilroy, a defense attorney for Rebecca Lynne Wynne, said that during a hearing Thursday afternoon District Judge Paula Martin agreed to lower Wynne’s bond from $25,000 to $15,000, cash or surety. Gilroy said Martin ordered Wynne to live with her father if she gets out of jail because she is barred from returning to the home where the alleged incident occurred in the 1500 block of Delaware Street.

Prosecutors last week charged Wynne with reckless involuntary manslaughter for the death of her son, who Lawrence police have identified as Joseph Michael Beanblossom,

and two counts of aggravated child endangerment with her two other children, ages 6 and 4, listed as the victims.

District Attorney Charles Branson said prosecutors accuse Wynne of stashing an illegal controlled substance in the house. He said the children discovered the pills the evening of April 27 and played some type of counting game with them.

“We believe all three kids were exposed to the pills,” Branson said. “The 5-year-old boy died as a result of ingesting the pills that were discovered.”

Prosecutors filed the charges after an autopsy was conducted.

Family members last week defended Wynne and said she would not intentionally harm her children.

Wynne was still listed in custody at the Douglas County Jail late Thursday afternoon. Martin has scheduled an Aug. 22 preliminary hearing in the case.