Perry woman charged in van death of baby

The mother of a baby who died in a hot minivan in Perry last month is facing a felony charge of neglect of a dependent person. Kari Engholm also faces a misdemeanor charge of involuntary manslaughter for leaving her seven-month-old baby, Clare, in the family van all day long. Engholm spoke publicly for the first time this morning in Perry. 34-year-old Kari Engholm says no one can ever know “the loss and despair” she feels. Standing in front of her church as she spoke with reporters, Engholm said she prays every day that God will give her the strength to know why this happened. Dennis Engholm says his wife forgot their daughter was in the van because their morning schedule had been scrambled. He said the family’s “disappointed and saddened” charges were filed because the Engholm’s say “what occurred was a tragic accident.” The baby’s aunt says the family is struggling to get through this difficult time.Engholm and his wife held hands with their three-and-a-half-year-old son as the family stood in front of the church.Engholm entered a written plea of “not guilty.” Her trial is set for November 27.