Defense points blame for toddler's death elsewhere

RHINELANDER, Wis. (AP) -- A defense attorney for a Wisconsin woman accused of killing her young stepson is attempting to pin blame for the child's death on the boy's father.

Thirty-year-old Ellen Tran is on trial in Oneida County for first--degree reckless homicide. Twenty-month-old Avery Edwards died in April 2017 while he was in the care of Tran and her husband at the time, Trung Tran.

WJFW-TV reports the toddler spent most of his time with his biological mother in Virginia, but occasionally stayed with his father and stepmother in Rhinelander. Defense attorney Jonas Bednarek attempted to show that Trung Tran was the person who likely caused his son's death.

Trung Tran took the stand briefly Monday and refused to answer questions, citing his constitutional rights against self--incrimination. He's charged with two lesser felonies in his son's death.