Bozeman woman sentenced for smothering baby while drunk

BILLINGS (AP) — A 36-year-old Bozeman woman has been sentenced to 20 years under the supervision of the Department of Corrections with 15 suspended for falling asleep drunk in a Billings hotel and smothering her infant son to death.

Tiffany Michele Hossner was sentenced for negligent homicide on Friday — the day her son would have turned 3 years old. The sentence handed down by District Judge Mary Jane Knisely means Hossner will be under the supervision of state probation and parole.

Hossner’s son died on Feb. 25, 2012. A test a short time later showed her blood-alcohol level was 0.296, more than three times the limit at which a person is considered legally intoxicated.

The prosecution and defense recommended the Department of Corrections sentence, saying Hossner has taken responsibility for her actions and has remained sober since her February 2013 arraignment.