Woman pleads guilty to fiery crash that killed 13 month old son

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — It’s been more than two years since a wreck on River Road near Carolina Beach killed a 13 month old baby.

A judge sentenced the mother Monday up to nearly 15 years in prison after she took a plea deal.

Melissa Henderson kept her head down as she pleaded guilty to several charges, including felony reckless child abuse inflicting serious injury and felony death by vehicle.

Judge Harrel also said if it weren’t for the constraint of the law he would give Henderson more time.

Henderson’s two children were in the car when she crashed her SUV in April 2016. The SUV burst into flames, killing the baby and injuring Henderson and her other child.

Prosecutors say at the time, Henderson was under the influence of prescription drugs.